The Charlotte Hornets shocked the NBA world when they decided to hire a new coach last year without waiting for the 2023-24 season to finish first, which would have probably allowed them to explore as many options as possible. With the Hornets set on prioritizing player development and building toward the future, they grabbed the chance early to bring in Charles Lee.
To be fair, the longtime assistant coach had established a great reputation among the NBA coaching circles, thanks in large part to his contribution to the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics' championship runs in 2021 and 2024, respectively.
Fast forward to today, it looks like Lee still has a long way to go before becoming one of the better coaches in the league. He may have become a beloved figure within the organization and deserves credit for transforming Charlotte into a solid defensive unit. However, the 40-year-old's offensive playbook leaves a lot to be desired, as the Hornets are among the worst teams this season on that end of the court.
Hornets could've had Kenny Atkinson
So, was it wrong for Charlotte to hire Lee? It's too early to tell, especially since it would be unfair not to provide the rookie head coach with enough time or leeway to prove his mettle. In addition, he took over a young squad, whose core players have yet to hit their prime.
Still, some Hornets fans probably can't help but wonder how things would have turned out for the franchise had it successfully brought Kenny Atkinson to the fold.
As some might remember, it had an agreement with Atkinson in the 2022 offseason, only for him to back out of the job and return to the Golden State Warriors as their lead assistant coach. A lot of folks were disappointed because the former Brooklyn Nets head coach has gained popularity around the league for his ability to develop young players. At the time of his hiring, the excitement about the future of LaMelo Ball, who was fresh off making his first All-Star appearance, was palpable.
Last summer, Atkinson finally decided to take on another head coaching job — with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has shown what the Hornets could have had, transforming the Cavs into an offensive juggernaut and steering them to the top of the standings. No one has a better shot at clinching the Coach of the Year award this season than the 57-year-old tactician.
Meanwhile, Charlotte entered the All-Star break with a disappointing record and a bleak outlook for the rest of the season. The offseason can't come sooner for the Hive, as the team's hope of becoming a winner hinges on the roster additions the front office will be able to concoct in the summer.
It will also definitely help if Lee can find someone like Atkinson to join his staff and revamp the Hornets' offense into a more respectable one.