Kenny Atkinson backing out of agreement was disappointing – Charlotte Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak

 

Charlotte Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak reckons Kenny Atkinson backing out of the agreement was disappointing. Atkinson recently decided to take a U-turn on his four-year deal to coach Charlotte Hornets.

“I think he would have been a good pick, but if he’s not comfortable here I would rather find out now than a year from now,” Kupchak said Thursday night during the NBA draft.

Kupchak revealed that they are in no hurry to appoint the new head of the coach. The General Manager also said he is in contact with the team’s owner Michael Jordan regarding the same and they will make the announcement soon after finding a suitable candidate to take the team forward.

“We have spent a lot of time going over candidates, maybe some new candidates and making sure we cover our bases,” Kupchak said of his face-to-face conversations with Jordan. “We have never felt the need to rush this process. We want to pick the right coach — and we thought we did.”

Kupchak reckons a successful coach in the NBA is the one who can get the roster right and get the best out of his players.

“A good coach is going to help with the roster, but the most important thing is to get the roster together,” Kupchak said. “We will get a good coach and we will be in good shape.”

Hornets roped in Duke center Mark Williams at No. 15 in the NBA draft. Furthermore, Charlotte added Nebraska guard Bryce McGowens in the second round.

Kupchak said he doesn’t have clarity on when they will make the announcement of the new head coach.

​​”We’re moving on it,” Kupchak said. “I can’t give you a when. I don’t want to say a week or two weeks or two days. I don’t want to say that.”

Meanwhile, Charlotte Hornets haven’t made it to the playoffs since the 2015-16 season and the new head coach will aim to turn the tables.