Sources: Kenny Atkinson will not take Charlotte Hornets job, will stick with Golden State Warriors

Kenny Atkinson has knowledgeable the Charlotte Hornets that he will not turn out to be the franchise’s new coach and can stay with the Golden State Warriors as the highest assistant, sources informed ESPN on Saturday.

After accepting Charlotte’s job provide throughout the NBA Finals final week, additional conversations with the Hornets’ group led Atkinson to consider that each professionally and personally it will be greatest to stay with the Warriors, sources mentioned.

Atkinson and the Hornets had agreed in precept to a four-year deal, however a contract was by no means signed, sources mentioned.

Atkinson had already moved 3 times in three years — leaving his job as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets to turn out to be an assistant in consecutive years with the LA Clippers after which Golden State. Atkinson shall be returning to the newly topped NBA champions for a second season below Steve Kerr.

Atkinson knowledgeable Charlotte and Golden State of his choice on Saturday, sources mentioned. He will turn out to be the highest assistant with Golden State, who shall be with out Mike Brown after he accepted the head-coaching job with the Sacramento Kings.

Atkinson was amongst three finalists to turn out to be the Hornets coach however was the one candidate to fulfill with proprietor Michael Jordan — which he did June 8 in Boston. Longtime NBA head coaches Mike D’Antoni and Terry Stotts have been additionally within the last grouping of the method, and so they may emerge once more as Charlotte basic supervisor Mitch Kupchak restarts the search to exchange James Borrego.

Atkinson was 118-190 in three-plus years with the Nets, inheriting a full rebuild and displaying enchancment every season till he resigned after an injury-plagued 2019-20 season. He spent the 2020-21 season with the Clippers as an assistant earlier than becoming a member of Steve Kerr’s Golden State workers.

Overall, he has spent 9 seasons as an NBA assistant, 4 with the New York Knicks, three with the Atlanta Hawks, and one every with the Clippers and Warriors.

The Hornets have missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, the longest drought in franchise historical past and second-longest lively streak behind the Kings (16). But Charlotte has a number of constructing blocks on a staff that went 43-39 throughout the common season to achieve the play-in sport, together with All-Star LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, who is about to be a restricted free agent.