Report: Warriors' assistant Kenny Atkinson could be named Hornets HC by end of next week

Earlier this week, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson emerged as the front-runner for the Charlotte Hornets' head coaching vacancy.

On Saturday, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer reported that Atkinson could be named the 13th head coach in Hornets' history by the end of next week. 

Atkinson and owner Michael Jordan are scheduled to meet in "the coming days," which is "typically the final step in the process." Boone added that Jordan and the Hornets followed the same steps when hiring former coach James Borrego. 

"There is a three-day gap between Game 2 and 3 of the NBA Finals, which shifts to Boston following Sunday night's matchup in San Francisco, creating a window for the two sides to meet," Boone wrote. "If all goes well, and Jordan is enamored with Atkinson, he conceivably could be hired by the end of the week, per a league source. But it's not a done deal yet." 

Atkinson has been an assistant in the NBA for nine seasons but does have head coaching experience. 

The 55-year-old led the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020. In four seasons under Atkinson, the Nets finished under .500 three times, reaching the postseason just once.

In 308 games as head coach in Brooklyn, Atkinson compiled a 118-190 record, with a 1-4 record in the playoffs.