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Charlotte Hornets: Grading Mitch Kupchak’s moves as GM

By Noah Elmore

Charlotte Hornets Mitch Kupchak (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets Mitch Kupchak (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC- MAY 11: Charlotte Hornets General Manager, Mitch Kupchak introduces James Borrego as Head Coach of the Charlotte Hornets during a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 11, 2018 at the Spectrum Center. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC- MAY 11: Charlotte Hornets General Manager, Mitch Kupchak introduces James Borrego as Head Coach of the Charlotte Hornets during a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 11, 2018 at the Spectrum Center. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Mitch Kupchak has now hired a new coach, drafted, and traded as the Charlotte Hornets’ new GM. How do his moves grade out?

By parting ways with Rich Cho in early February, the Charlotte Hornets organization announced they were ready for a change. New GM Mitch Kupchak has certainly brought about some of that change in the Queen City. Under his tenure, the Hornets have changed coaches, signed free agents, drafted rookies, and made plenty of trades. Just how good are these moves?

Coaching Change

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For the first time in four years, the Hornets have made a change at the helm. No longer is Steve Clifford leading the charge in Charlotte. Instead, former Spurs assistant James Borrego will be leading the upstart squad coming into the 2018-2019 season.

Borrego, a 40-year-old graduate of the University of San Diego, will be a head coach for the first time in his career. Hiring the experienced assistant was a great move for Mitch Kupchak. While Borrego wasn’t as coveted as his co-worker Ettore Messina, his pedigree is still impressive. Borrego stems from the impressive Gregg Popovich coaching tree, which also features Mike Budenholzer and Brett Brown.

Bringing in Borrego might not have been the most glamorous move. David Fizdale, Jay Wright, and Jerry Stackhouse were all linked to the Hornets opening. Instead of hiring one of those more well-known names, Kupchak went for the guy who should be able to get the job done.

Grade: B

It’s impossible to truly assess Borrego’s hiring until he coaches his first game, so this grade is subject to change. But based on the names available to Charlotte, it seems like a good move. A quality but uninspiring hiring earns a quality but uninspiring grade.

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