Hornets Eye Clippers’ Coach to Redefine Michael Jordan’s Legacy, Following Trailblazing Lindsey Harding Decision

The Charlotte Hornets are an NBA franchise in flux. Despite having a supremely gifted and highly talented franchise cornerstone in LaMelo Ball, they have failed to contend for even the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Their subpar performances have been further exacerbated by LaMelo’s poor injury record. To add insult to injury, Hornets’ longtime owner and NBA icon Michael Jordan has decided to cut his losses, as he announced the sale of Hornets in August 2023.

However, Michael Jordan’s departure could usher in a new and hopefully successful era for Charlotte. Jordan’s track record as the head honcho of the Hornets was littered with poor decision-making. Under his ownership, the Hornets never managed to win a playoff series. In August 2023, Jordan struck a deal with an ownership group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall for the sale of the Hornets franchise for an estimated $3 billion.

Now in the new setting, Jeff Peterson has been appointed as the new executive VP of Basketball Operations. And in his very first offseason, the former Nets’ assistant GM has been tasked to find a new head coach after they decided to promote coach Steve Clifford into a front-office role. Numerous coaches are being considered for the position, including Clippers assistant coach, Jay Larranaga. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “Los Angeles Clippers assistant Jay Larranaga will interview for the Charlotte Hornets’ head coaching job.”

Jay Larranaga is a highly experienced coach who has worked in Ty Lue’s coaching staff for the last three years. He also spent eight years working under Brad Stevens and Doc Rivers during his tenure with the Boston Celtics. In addition to Jay Larranaga, the Charlotte Hornets have also conducted interviews with Lindsey Harding, who, -if all fell into agreement- could become the first female head coach of an NBA team.

Other coaches in the fray for the Charlotte Hornets head coaching gig?

As their initial decision, the Charlotte Hornets decided to hold an interview with Lindsey Harding. She has had an impressive run in her first season as the HC of the Stockton Kings, guiding the team to the Western Conference finals with a league-best 24-10. The 2007 first overall WNBA draft pick was even the first woman selected for the G League Coach of the Year. Before getting the head coaching job at the Stockton Kings, Harding served as a development coach for both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Sacramento Kings.

Current HC Steve Clifford’s promotion to the front office has allowed Jeff Peterson to lead the Hornets into a new era, and hiring the right head coach would be key to a successful one. Apart from Harding and Larranaga, the Charlotte Hornets have also received permission to interview Denver Nuggets lead assistant David Adelman, Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez, Celtics assistant Charles Lee, and Suns assistant Kevin Young.

With several talented coaches in the fray for the job, it’s anyone’s guess who would come out on top. But regardless of the decision the front office may arrive at, the incoming head coach of the Charlotte Hornets will undoubtedly encounter a demanding rebuild.

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