The Cleveland Cavaliers have, bar none, been the most disappointing team in the NBA this season. Coming off a 64-win campaign, the Cavs were expected to run the table in the Eastern Conference once more, at least in the regular season. But even their usual level of excellence in the regular season has escaped them, as they are currently 15-14 on the season and have lost two consecutive games to a mediocre Chicago Bulls team.

This rough stretch of play has made the discontent within the Cavs brass that much more palpable — with team owner Dan Gilbert reportedly being unhappy over what’s transpired for his team over the past few months. It’s gotten to the point where almost everybody within the organization doesn’t have job security — including head coach Kenny Atkinson, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year.

“I’ve been hearing rumbles in coaching circles for weeks, amazingly, that pressure is indeed mounting on Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson,” NBA insider Marc Stein reported.

However, as per Stein, a close source to the Cavs said that Atkinson is well-liked by Gilbert and is safe, at least relative to others within the organization.

“One source close to the process, however, pushed back to The Stein Line on the idea that any dismay from Gilbert would have any immediate impact on Atkinson, noting that Gilbert had perhaps the strongest voice in Northeast Ohio backing the selection of Atkinson as J.B. Bickerstaff’s successor,” Stein added.

Cavs are feeling the weight of expectations

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Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after missing a shot during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Rocket Arena

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

It can be very frustrating for a perennial playoff contender like the Cavs have been over the past few years to come up short over and over. This year, they don’t even have the regular season success to fall back on.

At this point, pulling off a blockbuster trade might be the Cavs’ only way to maximize the roster. The 2019 Toronto Raptors come to mind; after years of futile toiling in the postseason, they finally broke through, thanks to the Kawhi Leonard trade. Can the Cavs find their own version of that?