Image Source: Hornets PA
[Saba Sports News] Approaching 70, Mitch Kupchak is set to dial back his involvement in the NBA.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Kupchak, currently serving as the Charlotte Hornets’ President of Basketball Operations, will step down to assume an advisory role within the organization. The Hornets are on the lookout for a new president to fill his shoes.
Kupchak boasts a storied NBA legacy, securing three championships as a player and seven more as an executive, primarily with the L.A. Lakers where he served as Assistant GM and then GM over a span from 1986 to 2017.
Since joining the Hornets in 2018, Kupchak hasn’t replicated his previous success, with the team missing out on playoff action under his presidency, including a disappointing 11-41 record this season. Despite drafting key players like LaMelo Ball and others, Kupchak’s tenure has seen its share of missteps, notably in trades that missed opportunities with players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Hornets’ recent ownership change, with Michael Jordan selling the team to Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, hinted at upcoming shifts. Kupchak’s transition marks the first major move in this new chapter for Charlotte.