- 👀The Charlotte Hornets are again on the search for a new head coach.
- 🏀Celtics assistant Charles Lee is the favorite, though Lindsey Harding could be the surprise hire.
- 🚨 Latest News: While still not the favorite, JJ Redick is also in the mix for the job.
For the seventh time since 2012-13, the Charlotte Hornets are officially in need of a new head coach, with Steve Clifford leaving to take an executive role with the franchise after going 48-116 in his second stint with the franchise.
The Hornets have now gone eight years in a row without a playoff berth and last won a postseason series in 2002, speaking to the long-running struggle in the Queen City when it comes to fielding a winner on the hardwood. Luckily for Charlotte fans, a fresh crop of talented assistant coaches and basketball lifers are on the market this offseason, which could allow GM Jeff Peterson and President James R. Jordan to land a quality coach in 2024.
Where will the Hornets look? BetCarolina.com, your top source for North Carolina sports betting, has compiled hypothetical odds on who may lead LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and the rest of the Hornets into the 2024-2025 NBA season.
Charlotte Hornets Next Head Coach Odds
These are hypothetical odds from our experts at BetCarolina.com. These odds are not available on North Carolina sports betting apps.
Right now, it seems like Boston Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee is the frontrunner to replace Clifford in Charlotte, with the 39-year-old longtime coach sitting at +165 after serving on the bench with the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics between 2014 and 2024.
Other Contenders For Hornets Coach
Lee beats out Denver Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman and ESPN personality JJ Redick (+500 apiece) on our Hornets odds board at the moment, as the son of longtime NBA head coach Rick Adelman is a hot commodity after helping guide Denver to the club’s first NBA title in 2023.
Redick, who played in the league from 2006 to 2021, has also be bandied about as a coaching candidate after his rapid rise at ESPN, with deft on-air talent and an ability to properly break down in-game tape.
Those two beat out our longshots for the Charlotte job, including Jay Larrañaga, who is the son of Miami Hurricanes MBB head coach Jim Larrañaga and a current assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers, as well as Houston Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey. Both of them are listed at +1250.
Finally, Stockton Kings G-League head coach (and 2023-24 G League Coach of the Year winner) Lindsey Harding rounds out our list when it comes to potential Hornets head coaching candidates, with the former WNBA star coming in at +1500, while “the field” has odds of +1250 in the Charlotte Hornets NBA head coaching carousel at the moment.
Stay with BetCarolina.com as we keep you updated on the latest Hornets news. Be sure to check out our best North Carolina sportsbook promos as well.
USA Today photo by Nell Redmond.
