The Charlotte Hornets’ coaching search is not over yet. Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson has reportedly changed his mind and won’t be the Hornets’ next head coach, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Atkinson will instead continue to serve as an assistant coach with the Warriors.
It’s unclear what changed between Atkinson and the Hornets. In mid-June, it was reported that the Hornets agreed in principle to hiring Atkinson. He would reportedly receive a four-year deal from the team, according to Wojnarowski. Things apparently broke down after the two sides had “further talks”.
News that Atkinson is spurning 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.
Before joining the Warriors, Atkinson was an assistant coach with the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks for several years. He was hired as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the 2016-17 NBA season. After struggling in his first two seasons, the Nets turned things around in Year 3.
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant joined the club this off-season but Atkinson was sacked after leading the team to a 28-34 record in the 2019/20 season. Durant did not play this season due to an Achilles injury. Irving played in just 20 games with the team.
With Atkinson out, the Hornets are tasked with finding a new replacement for James Borrego, who the team fired in April.
Kenny Atkinson reportedly decided to stay with the Warriors. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)