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Rumor: Charlotte Hornets interested in Mitch Kupchak for general manager

By Jerry Stephens

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Mitch Kupchak, general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks at a press conference before the game against the Indiana Pacers on November 29, 2015 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Mitch Kupchak, general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks at a press conference before the game against the Indiana Pacers on November 29, 2015 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets are reportedly interested in bringing in former Lakers’ general manager Mitch Kupchak to replace Rich Cho.

According to Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports, the Charlotte Hornets have interest in Mitch Kupchak. The former Los Angeles Lakers‘ general manager is being targeted as a replacement for current Hornets’ GM Rich Cho who is in the final year of his current deal.

Mannix said that “Mitch Kupchak is believed to be a favorite among high-ranking officials to take over for Cho next summer.” He added that if this is indeed the final year for Rich Cho, Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan may not sign off on dealing Kemba Walker this season.

Cho has been with Charlotte since 2011 but has only managed to put together a playoff contending team twice in the past six seasons. While Rich has completed a number of successful trades including ones for Dwight Howard, Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lamb, many fans have been unhappy with questionable draft selections and free agent signing over the years.

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As for Kupchak, he last worked with the Lakers in LA. He was with the team for several decades before he was fired on February 21st, 2017. Mitch has since been out of the league but was one of the top general managers in the league when he was with the Lakers. During his tenure with Los Angeles, they managed to win four NBA Titles.

While with the Lakers, Kupchak oversaw the acquisitions of players like Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, (almost) Chris Paul, Steve Nash and even Dwight Howard. He also drafted a number of players like Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr. and Brandon Ingram.

It would be a completely different dynamic for Mitch in the Queen City than it was for him in LA. It may be worth noting that he did play his college ball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

If Charlotte fails to make the playoffs this season, I think it will be the end of Cho’s run as GM of the Hornets. Even if they do make the postseason, it may not be enough to help save his job. There has been no talk of an extension for Rich, at least yet.

Next: Rumor: Bucks interested in trading for Monk

It will be interesting to see if any more comes of this news but if it is true, it could mean a quiet trade deadline for the Charlotte Hornets this season. If Cho is on his way out, they won’t give him free reign to trade most of their assets. Although Mitch Kupchak made some questionable moves as the GM of the Lakers, he is definitely a big name.

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