The Hornets are closing in on a deal to hire Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson as head coach, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Atkinson has agreed to a four year deal.
Formerly the head coach of the Nets, Atkinson was said to be one of two finalists for the Hornets job, along with Mike D’Antoni.
Atkinson spent four seasons as coach of the Nets (2016-20), amassing a 118-190 record. Even with the less-than-stellar trajectory, Atkinson remained a coveted name among coaching circles, eventually landing with the Los Angeles Clippers as an assistant in 2020-21 and with Steve Kerr’s Warriors team this season.
Taking the Nets to the playoffs in his third season as HC and working the postseason sidelines these past two years, Atkinson will have veteran experience to foster a young lineup in Charlotte, featuring an ascending duo of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. Atkinson will be tasked with implementing his pace and space offensive scheme to an already productive Hornets offense.
Hoops Wire will have more on this story as it develops.
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