Kenny Atkinson, assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, emerged as the front-runner for the Charlotte Hornets’ head coaching job earlier this week.
According to Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer, Atkinson might be appointed the Hornets’ 13th head coach before the end of next week.
Atkinson and owner Michael Jordan will meet in the “coming days,” which is “usually the penultimate step in the process.” Jordan and the Hornets went through the similar process when hiring previous coach James Borrego, according to Boone.
“There is a three-day gap between Game 2 and Game 3 of the NBA Finals, which transfers to Boston after Sunday night’s clash in San Francisco, creating an opportunity for the two sides to meet,” Boone wrote. “According to a league source, if all goes well and Jordan is smitten with Atkinson, he may be employed by the end of the week. But it’s not finalised yet.”
Atkinson has nine seasons of NBA assistant coaching experience but no head coaching experience.
From 2016 through 2020, the Brooklyn Nets were led by the 55-year-old. The Nets finished below.500 three times in four seasons under Atkinson, making the playoffs only once.
In 308 games as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, Atkinson went 118-190 with a 1-4 record in the playoffs.
