Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Hornets take step forward in their head-coaching search

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 4/4/24

The Charlotte Hornets are looking for a new head coach. Steve Clifford will move into a front-office role at the end of the season. Charlotte's front office is reportedly considering some of the most talented assistants in the NBA.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hornets have now received permission to interview four of their top targets. David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets, Jordi Fernandez of the Sacramento Kings, Charles Lee of the Boston Celtics and Kevin Young of the Phoenix Suns will all attend interviews in the coming days or weeks.

"The Charlotte Hornets have secured permission to interview several top assistant coaches for the franchise's head coaching opening, sources told ESPN on Thursday," Wojnarowski reported. "The Hornets are expected to pursue permission to interview other candidates in the coming days, sources said."

ESPN Sources: The Hornets have secured permission to interview several assistants for franchise’s head coaching opening: Denver’s David Adelman, Sacramento’s Jordi Fernandez, Boston’s Charles Lee and Phoenix’s Kevin Young. More candidates are expected to be interviewed.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 4, 2024

Clifford has done a good job with the Hornets in difficult circumstances. LaMelo Ball has seldom been healthy, as was the same with Gordon Hayward. The franchise exchanged hands. Miles Bridges had legal issues. As such, we've yet to see what Charlotte's roster is capable of.

Nevertheless, the next head coach will undoubtedly be tasked with developing Brandon Miller. He is emerging as the franchise cornerstone following an impressive rookie season. They will also need to develop the rest of the young talent on the roster while building toward becoming a playoff-caliber team.

The Hornets have struggled for relevancy in recent years. Whoever they acquire as their next head coach will have a tough task on their hands.

However, with so many exciting young talents to work with, the job could be highly enticing to a first-time head coach looking to make a jump from the assistant ranks.

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