Kupchak and Hornets Owner Michael Jordan have a longstanding relationship built around their ties to UNCGETTY IMAGES
The Hornets have hired longtime former Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak to "lead the basketball operation" as their new President of Basketball Operations & GM, according to Rick Bonnell of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Kupchak had "similar authority over the Lakers" from '00-'17. Kupchak "faces a major challenge" with the Hornets, who "failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive season despite an expensive, veteran roster." The Hornets' player payroll next season is "already approaching the NBA's projected luxury-tax threshold" of about $121M, a barrier Owner Michael Jordan will not "want to cross for a team that doesn't look like a contender anytime soon" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/9). ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski noted Kupchak, who won four championships with the Lakers, has been the "clear focus" of Jordan's search for a replacement for ex-GM Rich Cho, whose contract was not renewed. Kupchak will keep Assistant GM Buzz Peterson in a front-office role and "ultimately add personnel changes to the management and scouting structure." Jordan and Kupchak have a "longstanding relationship built around their ties to" the Univ. of North Carolina. Rockets Exec VP/Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas and 76ers VP/Player Personnel Marc Eversley "also interviewed" for the Hornets job, but Kupchak was a "clear early front-runner in the process" (ESPN.com, 4/8).
