Mitch

Kupchak

Kupchak’s contract was due to expire this summer, so addressing his status was going to be important for the Hornets to do. In addition to navigating the upcoming draft, the Hornets will also have to decide what to do with a list of free agents headlined by Miles Bridges and Montrezl Harrell. While the latter was a reserve after being acquired from the Wizards at the trade deadline, the former is a key starter who was one of the NBA’s most improved players this season. Also, the Hornets are in search of a new head coach after parting with James Borrego at the end of the regular season.

A name that could reportedly be on that list of options is Daniel Theis who will become a free agent this summer. Theis averaged 10.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 25.0 minutes per game this season for a Bulls team that ended regular season play 31-41, good for 10th place in the Eastern Conference.

Kupchak also said the Hornets will be drafting the most talented player available as opposed to a positional need. That’s not something Charlotte has always done in the past, so that will be a nice change of pace as the Hornets stick to their plan of a gradual rebuild. “We have some nice pieces that we like, but to compete in this league at a high level, our talent level isn’t where we need it to be,” Kupchak said. “I don’t feel we have the luxury of being able to, at this point, pick-and-choose the position [of greatest need].”

“We’re just not good enough to [draft for a specific position] right now,” he said. "[We won’t] bypass maybe a more talented player because we think we need help at a certain position.” Beat writer Rick Bonnell notes that the Hornets need a “rim-protector or a versatile wing scorer” more than a guard, for instance, but it sounds like Kupchak and the front office will prioritize sheer talent and upside above all else. As things stand, Charlotte has a 26.3% chance of landing a top-four pick in the draft.

Charlotte currently has the 12th overall pick in the June 20 draft and with the not having much room cap-wise, moving up in the lottery may be the easiest path to improving the roster around All-Star Kemba Walker. “We’re talking to a lot of teams. We would like to move up,” Kupchak said Friday. “Historically, if you look at what it costs to move up four slots or two slots or five slots, a lot of times it’s an expensive transaction.” The question worth asking is can Charlotte move up in the lottery while also finding some salary cap relief. If so, that would be optimal heading into free agency. Walker, who will be an unrestricted free agent later this month, is eligible for a super max contract, and Jeremy Lamb will also be a free agent.

Clifford’s name has been kicked around in reference to a couple of head coach openings, but nothing has come of it yet. It’s possible he’ll get an interview with Milwaukee, but there’s nothing finalized just yet.

If Ham leaves, it would leave Mike D’Antoni with just one full-time assistant in his brother Dan D’Antoni. He’s expected to hire his own staff before next season starts and we don’t expect to see as many assistants on the Lakers sidelines as they had this season. Ham will also interview with the Hawks.

Clifford was expected to interview all along, so we’re not surprised. It’s not clear if he’s a serious candidate, but he’ll get at least one interview as the search rolls forward.

Take this with a tablespoon of salt because it sounds like unfounded speculation and not real news. The Lakers and Hawks are “said to be two such teams, with both supposedly exploring the idea of improving their draft position,” but that could be said of basically any team at this stage in the process. The report cites the Lakers as “willing to trade Pau Gasol,” but it’s based off of old information and nothing new. We’re not putting much stock into this.

“If you look at our depth chart, you can make an argument that we need a player in the frontcourt,” Kupchak said. “We need a big. Jordan is a free agent and we’d like to sign him. D’Angelo, we’re very high on, and we have Lou Williams. I think we’re more set in the backcourt than the frontcourt. Two days after the Lottery, that’s where we are. In six weeks, we’ll see.”