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Rumor: Charlotte Hornets leaning heavily towards a head coaching change

By Jerry Stephens

MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 30: Head Coach Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets talks with team during timeout during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum on October 30, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 104-99. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 30: Head Coach Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets talks with team during timeout during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum on October 30, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 104-99. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets could be looking to fire Steve Clifford this summer and make a coaching change after five seasons with the team.

According to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times, the Charlotte Hornets may be one team that will make a head coaching change this offseason. It has been speculated that Steve Clifford is on the hot seat but no decision regarding his future with the team has yet been made. If Coach Clifford is fired, it would happen at the end of the season.

Woelfel reported that “In conversations with a bevy of league officials, as many as nine coaches – or almost a third of the league — could possibly be fired. Among the teams that are leaning heavily toward jettisoning their head coaches, according to league sources, are Memphis, Charlotte and Orlando.” Frank Isola of the New York Daily News also reported that as many as 10 head coaching jobs could open up this summer.

It’s worth noting that Clifford still has one year left on his current deal which runs through the 2018-19 season. He received a multi-year extension in 2015 after making the postseason. He’s been with Charlotte since 2013 and has the second most wins as a head coach in franchise history behind only Allen Bristow. He also has the fourth-highest win percentage in team history.

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The team has made the playoffs twice in five seasons under Steve Clifford. He has a 3-8 postseason record with two first-round exits. The Hornets have missed the playoffs in back to back seasons and have severely underperformed and disappointed in each of the last two years. All that considered, it’s easy to see why he’s possibly on the hot seat.

Clifford’s future will most likely be up to whoever the organization hires to be their next general manager. With Mitch Kupchak expected to be announced as the GM by the end of the season, it will rest in his hands to decide Coach Clifford’s fate. The former Los Angeles Lakers‘ GM has ties to Cliff as Steve was an assistant with LA in the 2012-13 season.

If Charlotte does make a head coaching change, there will be plenty of candidates for them to go after. Associate head coach Stephen Silas, who has received interest from other NBA teams, could be one option. Jerry Stackhouse, David Fizdale, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy are just a few big names available.

Next: Will next season be a breakout year for Malik Monk?

While Steve Clifford is on the hot seat, this is still just a rumor and nothing has yet been confirmed or denied. Charlotte Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan will surely have a say in Clifford’s future with the team as well. It will be interesting to see if a move is made this offseason.

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