{"id":25540,"date":"2024-02-29T17:02:16","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T17:02:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/29\/hornets-make-another-positive-move-with-anticipated-hiring-of-new-executive\/"},"modified":"2024-02-29T17:02:16","modified_gmt":"2024-02-29T17:02:16","slug":"hornets-make-another-positive-move-with-anticipated-hiring-of-new-executive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/29\/hornets-make-another-positive-move-with-anticipated-hiring-of-new-executive\/","title":{"rendered":"Hornets make another positive move with anticipated hiring of new executive"},"content":{"rendered":"


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On Thursday morning, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Charlotte Hornets<\/a> are expected to hire Brooklyn Nets executive Jeff Peterson as their next head of basketball operations. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Charlotte announced earlier in February that Mitch Kupchak, head of basketball operations since 2017, is stepping down<\/a> to be an “organizational advisor.” Among the lowlights during his tenure were blowout losses in the NBA Play-In.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Peterson, 35, is a known commodity for co-chairs Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall. He worked from intern to assistant GM<\/a> while Schnall was a minority owner with the Atlanta Hawks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since taking over majority control from Michael Jordan last August,<\/a> Plotkin and Schnall have been working to revamp a franchise that will miss the NBA playoffs for the eighth straight season. At this season’s trade deadline, Charlotte dealt veterans Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington.<\/p>\n

Despite their putrid 15-43 record through Wednesday, Charlotte is 5-2 since Feb. 10 after acquiring Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic and Davis Bertans from Oklahoma City and Charlotte natives Grant Williams and Seth Curry from Dallas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not only are fans seeing progress in the win column, but head coach Steve Clifford said he can tell the difference in this group of guys on the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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“Right now, everybody’s trying,” Clifford said on Feb. 26. “If they try hard and have a feel for the game, you can be OK.”<\/p>\n

Peterson is young for an NBA executive, with his predecessor Kupchak almost twice his age (69). But he has experience helping acquire big-name players thanks to his involvement in bringing the “Big Three” of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden to Brooklyn.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Those stars didn’t succeed on the court, but Peterson’s experience working with high-profile players is invaluable to a franchise struggling to attract top-end talent in free agency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It will take time to determine if Peterson is a good hire for Charlotte. But, so far, Plotkin and Schnall have built up enough goodwill from fans to give Peterson a shot to succeed.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n