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Hornets assistant coach emerges as top candidate for Eastern Conference foe

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeff Hauser | Last updated Aug 3, 2025 11:13 PM ET

The New York Knicks are reportedly eyeing Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Chris Jent as the leading candidate to take a similar position, according to YES Network's Frank Isola.

The potential hire comes as the Knicks continue assembling Mike Brown’s coaching staff following Tom Thibodeau’s departure.

Hornets assistant coach Chris Jent has emerged as the leading candidate to join Mike Brown’s Knicks staff as offensive coordinator. Jent, who played one season for the Knicks, recently coached the Hornets to the Summer League title.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) August 3, 2025

Jent has over two decades of coaching experience with several NBA franchises. He's only been in Charlotte since last year and helped guide the Hornets' Summer League squad to a championship in Las Vegas. He's currently serving on Charles Lee’s staff and was previously with the Los Angeles Lakers for three years starting in 2022.

Outside of his versatility, Jent is also well-regarded for his developmental work, particularly with NBA superstar LeBron James. He served as James’ shooting coach during his early years in Cleveland and reunited with him during his recent stint with the Lakers, where James became the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.

Jent would be an intriguing fit for a Knicks team looking to evolve into a consistent playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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