The search for a coach for the Charlotte Hornets is not over. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson has changed his mind and will not become the next head coach of the Hornets.
Instead, Atkinson will continue to coach as an assistant with the Warriors.
It is unclear what changed between Atkinson and the Hornets. In mid-June, it was reported that the Hornets had agreed in principle to hire Atkinson. According to Wojnarowski, he would receive a four-year contract from the team. Apparently things broke down after the two sides had “more conversations.”
The news of Atkinson rejecting the Hornets comes days after the Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. It was Atkinson’s first season with the team and his first championship as an assistant coach.
Prior to joining the Warriors, Atkinson spent several years as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks. He was hired as head coach by the Brooklyn Nets before the 2016-17 NBA season. After fighting for their first two seasons, the Nets changed things in Year 3.
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant joined the club that low season, but Atkinson was sacked after leading the team to a 28-34 record during the 2019-20 season. Durant did not play that season due to an Achilles injury. Irving played only 20 games for the team.
With Atkinson out, the Hornets will be tasked with finding a new replacement for James Borrego, who the team fired in April.
Kenny Atkinson decided to stay with the Warriors. (Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images)