Charlotte Hornets are one of the NBA teams searching for a new head coach in the offseason and two-time coach of the year Mike D’Antoni is reportedly among the candidates for the vacancy, per Associated Press (h/t to NBA.com).
After parting ways with head coach James Borrego, who led the team to its first winning season in years, the Hornets wanted to upgrade their bench with a veteran coach. Alongside D’Antoni, former Brooklyn HC Kenny Atkinson is also in the mix for the job.
D’Antoni has previously worked as a head coach with the Houston Rockets (2016-20), Los Angeles Lakers (2012-14), New York Knicks (2008-12), Phoenix Suns (2003-08) and Denver Nuggets (1998-99).
He won the Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2017 as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets, respectively. He previously worked under current Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak with the Lakers for two seasons.
The Hornets are looking to replace James Borrego, who was fired by owner Michael Jordan on April 22 after a 43-39 season. He finished his stint with a 138-163 in four seasons with the Hornets.
His inability to lead the team in the postseason in two consecutive seasons despite making the play-in tournament was the main reason the North Carolina franchise elected to move on to another head coach.
The Hornets have not made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. They have not won a playoff series since the 1991-1992 season.
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