The decision to fire former Hornets head coach James Borrego apparently came from owner Michael Jordan, not president of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. This contradicts a report last month that Kupchak was the driving force behind the move.
Sources tell Fischer that Jordan was unhappy with Charlotte’s poor defense, which fell from 16th in 2020/21 to 22nd this season. The Hornets also gave up 144 points to Indiana in last season’s play-in tournament and then 132 to Atlanta this season, both blowout losses.
The Hornets are in the early stages of their search to fill the coaching vacancy, Fischer writes. Kupchak has been mulling over candidates and is acting as though he’ll remain in charge of the team’s basketball operations even though his contract expires after the season, sources tell Fischer.
The team has discussed finding someone to eventually succeed Kupchak for years, but the Hornets want him to remain in place for at least the short term, assuming the two sides can work out their difference of opinion regarding salary, which sounds like a formality.
Prior to Adrian Wojnarowski’s report that the Hornets will interview Mike D’Antoni, Kenny Atkinson, Darvin Ham and Sean Sweeney for their head coaching job, Fischer explored some possible candidates, including D’Antoni and Atkinson.
Like the Kings, the Hornets are also searching for someone with previous head coaching experience. League sources tell Fischer that former Rockets head coach D’Antoni, Warriors assistants Mike Brown and Atkinson, and Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse are potential candidates for the opening. Brown holds previous head coaching experience with the Cavaliers and Lakers and is a finalist for Sacramento’s job, while Atkinson was Brooklyn’s lead coach from 2016-20.
Fischer notes that D’Antoni has frequently been linked to the Sixers since Daryl Morey became president of basketball operations, but the team has consistently maintained that head coach Doc Rivers and the front office are aligned on their shared vision of the future. Rivers still is still owed an additional $24MM over three years following this season, so even if Morey did want to fire him, that would be a bitter pill for Philadelphia’s ownership to swallow, Fischer observes.
Echoing a report from Marc Stein, Fischer says one more name to keep an eye on for the Hornets is Jazz coach Quin Snyder, who still has one year remaining on his contract with Utah. Synder previously worked under Kupchak’s front office as a Lakers assistant and has ties to North Carolina — he played for Duke in college and was an assistant coach there prior to becoming Missouri’s head coach.
Snyder has repeatedly been linked to the Lakers‘ opening, but several sources tell Fischer that L.A. doesn’t appeal to Utah’s head coach.
So Jordan fired Borrego because of the team’s poor defensive showings, but they’re going to interview D’Antoni?! That makes no sense whatsoever.
Maybe instead of firing Borrego they could’ve tried, I don’t know… rostering a rim protector or two for Borrego to coach. It’s an out-of-the-box idea, I know.
Jordan is such a terrible owner. One step forward, two steps back… every… single… time.
Appalachian_Outlaw I absolutely agree. While their defense did indeed get worse, with Borrego the Hornets improved every season. If they draft, signed or traded for a rim protector, they would have been a playoff contender at least. Borrego was Jordan’s scapegoat while Vogel was LeBron’s.
Exactly as you said, the Hornets were improving under Borrego. It was a stupid move to fire him, and the reasoning looks even worse when they’re pursuing D’Antoni.
Jordan clearly doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s proven it time and again. What he needs to realize is the best thing he could do is step back from the basketball decision making side, but his ego is too big.
I came to write the same thing. The only D in D’Antoni’s vocabulary is in his last name.
Would have made sense to target an better defensive anchor for sure. Plumlee and Harrell are stiffs.
Would have stuck it out at least 1 more season with Borrego. Kinda reminds me of the Atkinson firing.
They could certain improve the overall defense via trades this off-season tho. Gobert is available. Westbrick is a better defender than given credit if they go salary dump route. Smart is seemingly always on the trade block. Ben Simmons is available maybe not mentally or physically but available in a trade. Brogdon is available, even tho his defense is waning.
If your looking for defense D’Antoni is not the answer
Hellooo Mcfly???
Best defense is a great offense. All they need to do is get a lead and never lose the lead. Boom. You’re welcome.
Michael proving yet again he’s almost as good at being a bad owner as he was at being a good player.
Here’s a wild trade idea. It works financially according to Fanspo trade machine.
Hornets receive: Rudy Gobert
Jazz receive: Jerami Grant, D’Angelo Russell, and Mason Plumlee. A first round pick, number #15 from Charlotte
Timberwolves receive: Mike Conley, Kelly Olynyk
Pistons receive: Gordon Hayward, Jaden Mcdaniels,James Bouknight, two first round draft picks, #19 from Minnesota and #13 from Charlotte
I posted this in a different article and someone suggested switching Hayward and Conley. I think this is a fair trade for everyone.
I’ll take your word for it on the financials, but I don’t hate it from the Hornets side. My only issue is that eats up a ton of Charlotte’s assets, and they really could use another solid defender on the wing.
My preference is still for them to try to acquire Myles Turner, though. I think he comes cheaper, and I’d like to see Charlotte hang onto one of those firsts.
DAntoni would be a good choice for Hornets.