Report: Hornets hire former NBA champion assistant as new head coach

The Charlotte Hornets have hired a new head coach.

Charles Lee has agreed to a four-year deal to become the next head coach of the Hornets, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday. Lee is currently the top assistant under head coach Joe Mazzulla with the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics are still in the playoffs, and Lee is planning to remain with the team until their season concludes.

Prior to arriving in Boston this season, Lee was an assistant under Mike Budenholzer with the Milwaukee Bucks for five seasons. Lee was on Budenholzer’s staff when the Bucks won the NBA title in 2021.

Lee, 39, began his NBA coaching career with the Atlanta Hawks in 2014. Hornets executive president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson worked in the Hawks organization when Lee was a coach there.

There were reports that an ESPN analyst was a serious candidate for the Hornets job, but ultimately Charlotte went with the sought-after assistant.

Steve Clifford stepped down as the head coach of the Hornets following 21-61 season this year and has transitioned to a front office role.