The Charlotte Hornets are unlikely to bring back their general manager Rich Cho, instead likely aiming to bring in former Los Angeles Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak in the offseason to partner with assistant GM Buzz Peterson, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Hornets could soon have a front office led with the University of North Carolina bloodlines, as owner Michael Jordan, the greatest player the school ever produced, could look to get a couple of UNC alumni working together in Peterson and Kupchak.
Peterson, now an assistant GM for the Hornets, was Jordan's roommate during their time in school, while the 6-foot-9 Kupchak was one of the school's best regarded players, along with being a three-time NBA champion.
Cho joined Charlotte as a general manager in 2011 after being dismissed in less than a year after his hiring for the same job for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2010. Due to the roster's massive cap hit and their underperformance, ownership will look to shake up the line of command and bring the once-exiled Kupchak back in the front office ranks in hopes he can sort out a winner.
The Hornets have a whopping $96.7 million tied between their starting lineup and Cody Zeller, who have somehow combined to a mere 24-33 record, sitting 5.5 games away from playoff contention.
Dwight Howard and Nicolas Batum lead the charge in payroll expenses, making $23.5 and $22.4 million each, while producing less-than-desirable numbers for their hefty paychecks — an issue Jordan will look to solve by making a GM switch this offseason.
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