The Charlotte Hornets are betting on continuity. Team president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson officially announced the contract extension of head coach Charles Lee, without disclosing the length or financial terms of the deal.
Hired in May 2024, the former Celtics, Bucks, and Hawks assistant has won over management with his methodical approach. « Charles has done a remarkable job of establishing the foundation for what we want to become, » said Peterson, emphasizing player development and collective accountability as cornerstones of the program.
The results spoke for themselves. In just his second season on the bench, Lee guided Charlotte to 44 wins — 25 more than the previous year — marking the largest single-season improvement in franchise history. Despite a shaky start (16-28), the Hornets completely transformed in the second half of the campaign, going 28-10 down the stretch.
Since January 1st, Charlotte posted the best Net Rating in the entire NBA (+10.5), boasting the league’s best offense and the fifth-best defense. The run ultimately came up short of a playoff berth, with the Magic eliminating them in the Play-In Tournament.
« We’re just getting started, and I’m excited to get to work, » said Lee, who was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month in January, expressing gratitude toward his front office, coaching staff, and players.
Source: BasketUSA
