Charles Lee, the current Boston Celtics lead assistant and an accomplished top assistant coach, has been hired as the new head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. This marks a new chapter for Lee as he takes on this exciting new opportunity. The announcement was made by the team, who expressed their enthusiasm for Lee taking on the role.
Lee will continue his duties with the Celtics during their playoff run before transitioning to his new position in Charlotte. He has signed a four-year contract and will be taking over for veteran coach Steve Clifford. This move is the first major decision made by new general manager Jeff Peterson as he looks to reshape the franchise.
With over 10 years of experience as an NBA assistant coach, Lee has worked under Mike Budenholzer in both Atlanta and Milwaukee, where he was part of the 2021 NBA championship staff. After Budenholzer’s departure from the Bucks last summer, Lee joined the Celtics as a lead assistant. He has previously interviewed for several NBA head coaching positions, including with the Hornets in 2021.
As the new head coach of the Hornets, Lee will focus on player development for the rebuilding team. The Hornets finished last season with a record of 21-61 and have not made the playoffs since 2016. Despite this, the team has promising talent in players like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, who have shown potential on the court. The Hornets made moves to trade away veterans like Terry Rozier and P.J. Washington to prioritize their future, a future that now rests in the hands of Lee.