Mitch Kupchak is stepping down as GM of the Charlotte Hornets
ESPN’s Adrian Wojanrowski is reporting that Charlotte Hornets general manager and president of basketball operations will be stepping down and assuming an advisory role with the team.
In a follow-up Tweet, Woj mentions some of the top candidates expected to be considered for the role, including Trajan Langdon, Jeff Peterson, Mike Gansey, and Elton Brand, among others.
This news doesn’t come as a surprise after reports surfaced that ownership with the help of outside advisement were calling the shots while the front office mostly just managed the phone calls.
This move definitely needed to happen and is probably best for all parties involved. While Kupchak hit some home runs at the top of the lottery with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, he seemingly fell behind the times in terms of asset management and navigating the current player movement culture in the NBA. The Hornets were nonfactors in the free agency market for the last two offseasons and struggled to maneuver in the draft when they had draft capital to burn. The depth of his rosters have been thoroughly tested by significant injury misfortune and failed in mostly spectacular fashion.
He leaves a non empty cupboard for the next general manager. The Hornets have young talent and a couple of future first round picks that they picked up in the Terry Rozier and PJ Washington trades. They also have a coach that will surely be relieved of his duties if he doesn’t also step down at the end of the season. That hopefully makes the job appealing for any potential incoming front office hire. The search for a replacement will start immediately.
