Breaking: Hornets New Owners Move On From Mitch Kupchak

The move comes after the NBA Trade Deadline

After a disappointing start to the season, new owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall have stomped their authority, moving on from President of Basketball Operations Mitch Kupchak. Kupchak had been in post for five and a half years after being appointed in April 2018. During his tenure the Charlotte Hornets went a combined 165-218 (ADD 23-24) failing to make the playoffs, despite two Play-In appearances.

ESPN Sources: Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations Mitch Kupchak is stepping down to become an organizational advisor, clearing way for franchise to begin an immediate search for a new head of basketball operations. pic.twitter.com/Vh2p0AudFh

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 12, 2024

Kupchak always appeared to be a likely casualty of Charlotte's new ownership group. Although perhaps the timing comes as a surprise, as many expected a change before the trade deadline or in the off-season, this falls in the middle. Highlights of Kupchak's tenure were the drafting of franchise players LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, as well as showing to have an above average hit rate on second round picks. 

However, fans can't forget the misses which include the Gordon Hayward and Nic Batum stretching, the dreaded 2021 draft class (Bouknight, Jones + Thor) and some questionable draft night trades (Kai Jones, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander + Jalen Duren). Overall, Kupchak's passive strategy outside of the latest trade deadline led to a vanilla half decade of paddling in the shallow end.

The Top 10 Candidates To Replace Mitch Kupchak

The Hornets new ownership group made this move now with the intention to appoint a long-term replacement imminently. Adrian Wojnarowski reported Charlotte to have interest in a pool of candidates including New Orleans GM Trajan Langdon, Brooklyn assistant GM Jeff Peterson, Cleveland GM Mike Gansey, Philadelphia GM Elton Brand, and others.