Ex-Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni is reportedly a favorite to take the same job with the Charlotte Hornets. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, D’Antoni will meet with the Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan this week to discuss the head coaching vacancy.
It seems like this is D’Antoni’s job to lose, but Wojnarowski reports that he isn’t the only candidate for the job. Jordan is also set to meet with current Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson.
D’Antoni and Atkinson already had interviews with the Hornets’ management, but it will be Jordan who will make the final call.
The Charlotte Hornets are in need of a coach after parting ways with James Borrego earlier this year. The franchise is currently on a six-season playoff drought.
Mike D’Antoni is considered one of the best offensive minds in the league. He served as a head coach of the Rockets between 2016 and 2020, leading the team to four consecutive Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals in 2017-18.
D’Antoni, who also coached the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers, among other teams, has a 672-527 record as a head coach. He also has two NBA Coach of the Year nods.
On the other hand, Atkinson’s only head coaching stint was with the Brooklyn Nets. He spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Nets and went 118-190 with one playoff appearance.
