Hornets lose out to Atkinson who makes Warriors u-turn
The Charlotte Hornets were expected to appoint Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach, but that move will now not go ahead.
Kenny Atkinson is no longer accepting the head coaching job with the Charlotte Hornets, choosing instead to remain an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, ESPN reported on Saturday. It had been reported earlier in June that Atkinson and the Hornets had agreed in principle to a four-year contract, but the deal was never signed.
Atkinson staying with Warriors for now
After further talks with Charlotte, Atkinson opted to stay with the new NBA champions, becoming Steve Kerr’s top assistant after Mike Brown left to become the head coach of the Sacramento Kings.
Atkinson compiled a 118-190 record leading the Brooklyn Nets from 2016-20 before he took assistant jobs in consecutive years with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Warriors.
The Hornets fired James Borrego in April following a 43-win season with two years remaining on his contract. He went 138-163 during his four seasons as head coach, and Charlotte were routed in the play-in tournament in each of the last two.
Atkinson was chosen to replace Borrego after a seven-week search. The other candidates from that process were longtime NBA coach Mike D’Antoni and former Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, ESPN reported.