Former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson has decided not to become the coach of the Hornets after initially accepting the job last week, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Instead, Atkinson will remain an assistant under Steve Kerr with the reigning champion Warriors, per Wojnarowski.
Atkinson was considered one of two finalists for the Hornets job, along with former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, before being offered the job. It is unclear if the Hornets will now offer the job to D’Antoni, or if he would accept if offered.
Per Wojnarowski, Charlotte will have to restart the process of its coaching search. Ex-Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts was considered another finalist.
The Hornets finished this past season with a record of 43-39 and feature the likes of LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges. They will enter next season with expectations of making the playoffs.
Charlotte last made the playoffs in the 2015-16 and has not advanced beyond the first round since the 2001-02 season, when Paul Silas was the coach.
Along with assisting the Warriors this past season, Atkinson has served as an assistant with the Hawks, Nets and Clippers. He was the head coach of the Nets from 2017-20, compiling a 118-190 record. Brooklyn fired him shortly before the league shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
Hoops Wire will have more on this story and the Hornets’ coaching search as it develops.
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