The Charlotte Hornets have thrown the towel on their general manager Rich Cho, now reportedly looking to weigh interest on former Los Angeles Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak. The organization will look to make find a replacement GM within the remember 25 games of the season, according to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer, hopeful to hit the offseason running with a fresh perspective and a plan of attack.
Kupchak would fit the mold of a local connection, joining owner Michael Jordan and assistant GM Buzz Peterson as two other esteemed University of North Carolina products coming together in this new-look front office.
Peterson will become the interim GM with Cho out of the picture, but is unlikely to be considered as a candidate for the full term position, according to Bonnell.
Vice chairman Curtis Polk said he anticipates four to six candidates receiving interviews, noting that some attractive candidates might not be available to interview until the franchises they currently work for have completed their seasons.
“We need a strong leader who is well respected in the organization and within the industry,” Polk said. “Someone who can build on the tools Rich (provided): Analytics and also be a great evaluator” of talent.
Cho, who joined the franchise in 2011, has failed to bring his vision to fruition, as the Hornets have committed a whopping $96.7 million this year alone to their starting lineup and center Cody Zeller, with the top two salaries going to Dwight Howard and guard/forward Nicolas Batum.
The Hornets looked to make trades prior to the deadline, but no one answered — a direct product of over-inflated contracts for underperforming players.
The team reportedly considered dangling their star player, Kemba Walker, in hopes to sweeten the pot and attract other front offices to take on some of the team's high-salaried players.