Charles Lee is reportedly emerging as a finalist for the Charlotte Hornets’ opening head coaching role. Lee faces competition from ESPN analyst and podcaster JJ Redick, who has made no secret of his desire to coach at the NBA level.
Lee joined Joe Mazzulla’s staff from the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023 offseason. He is the lead assistant on Boston’s roster. Lee has previously interviewed for head coaching roles with the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors.
JJ Redick and Celtics lead assistant Charles Lee are viewed as the finalists for the Hornets’ head coach vacancy.
Redick, who has a strong desire to get into coaching, and Lee will have second interviews soon with Charlotte’s front office to decide. pic.twitter.com/qcjYrYuMDe
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 28, 2024
Should Lee be hired by the Hornets, it will be the second straight season that one of Boston’s assistant coaches has accepted a head coaching gig. Damon Stoudamire left the Celtics during their playoff run last season after becoming the head coach of Georgia Tech.
Lee helped the Milwaukee Bucks win a championship in 2021. He could potentially end this season with another ring on his resume. His work with the Celtics will not have gone unnoticed by a rebuilding Hornets team.
From a professional standpoint, Charlotte is likely an enticing opportunity. They boast some exciting young talent in Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams. They also have Grant Williams on the roster, who has postseason experience and has impressed since joining his hometown team. Furthermore, the Hornets have a new ownership group and are clearly looking to begin positioning the franchise as a potential contender in the future.
By joining the Hornets, Lee would be getting a young roster that is both talented and inexperienced. He would have time to implement his system and develop his players without the pressures of a bigger market team. His experience on multiple high-level benches would ensure he commanded the respect of the locker room.
Unlike Stoudamire, Lee would likely remain on Mazzulla’s staff until the end of the season, should he be offered the role. As such, Boston wouldn’t be left short-handed as they continue to chase a championship.
