It looks like Warriors’ top assistant coach Kenny Atkinson is staying at bay after all.
After previously reporting that Atkinson had agreed to a four-year deal to become the new head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, Atkinson reportedly changed his mind.
Atkinson was offered the job during the NBA Finals, but further talks led him to believe it was best to stay with the Warriors, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday, citing sources.
ESPN Sources: Kenny Atkinson has decided that he will not become the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and will remain at Golden State as a top assistant. After being offered a job during the NBA Finals, further discussions led Atkinson to believe it would be best to stay with the Warriors.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2022
He reportedly informed the Hornets that he would not become the franchise’s new coach and would remain with Golden State.
Atkinson spent his first season on the Warriors’ bench this year, helping coach the team to an NBA championship.
Kenny Atkinson spent this week with mixed feelings as he left the Warriors to become the Hornets head coach. In the end he listened to his heart. And his family.
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) June 18, 2022
The previous season, Atkinson was an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers.
He was previously the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020, where he was praised for helping transform culture in Brooklyn.
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Atkinson will now stay with the Warriors and take part in the celebrations as they go on, then immediately get back to work for next season.
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