The Charlotte Hornets reportedly reached a four-year deal with Kenny Atkinson to make him their next head coach last week, but now the Golden State assistant is rejecting the offer.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Atkinson will stay with the Warriors and – after Mike Brown leaves to coach Sacramento – will become a top assistant for the 2022 NBA champions.
ESPN sources: Kenny Atkinson has decided not to become the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and will remain with Golden State as chief assistant. After being offered a job during the NBA Finals, further conversations led Atkinson to believe that it would be best to stay with the Warriors.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2022
This news reopens the door for former Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stots to become Charlotte’s next head coach. The Hundreds and longtime NBA coach Mike D’Antoni were the other two finalists for the position before Charlotte chose Atkinson.
Mike D’Antoni and Terry Stots were the other two finalists for the job, sources said. Charlotte will have to restart the process now. https://t.co/X5yMR8fybK
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2022
Stots has also been linked as a candidate for the vacant Utah Jazz head coach position. Former Jazz head coach Quinn Snyder resigned in early June.
The 64-year-old Stots coached Portland for nine seasons from 2012-2021, setting a record of 402-318 and eight consecutive playoff appearances. Prior to his term in Portland, Stots was the Atlanta Hawks’ head coach from 2002-2004 and the Milwaukee Bucks head coach from 2005-2007.
He has not held another coaching job in the NBA since Portland fired him after a 42-30 record and exit from the first round of the playoffs in the 2020-2021 season.
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