Hornets to hire Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson as HC
The Charlotte Hornets have decided on a new head coach.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson will be the next head coach of the Hornets.
"Atkinson met with Charlotte Hornets officials — including owner Michael Jordan — on Wednesday, and the franchise has decided on the former Nets coach as its new head coach," Charania added. "Atkinson brings development and defensive structure to a young and talented roster."
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski added that it will be a four-year deal for Atkinson.
Atkinson joined the Warriors and Steve Kerr's staff this season after spending last season with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors are currently battling the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
The 55-year-old has coached in the NBA since 2008, spending time as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers and Warriors.
Atkinson coached the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020, going 118-190 with a 1-4 mark in the postseason.
Along with Atkinson, two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike D'Antoni was reportedly a finalist for the Charlotte job.
Atkinson becomes the second Warriors assistant to leave for a head-coaching position, joining Mike Brown, who accepted the Sacramento Kings' head-coaching job.
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