The Charlotte Hornets announced on Tuesday that general manager Rich Cho would not have his contract, which expires after this season, extended. Cho has been a part of the Hornets front office since 2011 and was promoted to GM in 2014.
There have been reports citing that former Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak is a potential target the Hornets hope to add to their front office.
According Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Hornets owner, Michael Jordan, is looking to pair Kupchak with assistant GM Buzz Peterson, who the team is looking to prepare as Cho’s heir apparent.
The team has had no contact with Kupchak on taking the job, ESPN reports.
The Charlotte Hornets have come to an impasse of sorts as their efforts to build a roster that can compete in the East have stalled. With one of the highest payrolls in the league this season and a 24-33 record, there is room for improvement.
One of Cho’s last moves as gm was the acquisition of center Dwight Howard, and despite Howard’s impressive numbers, his production has not led to team success. While Cho was instrumental in the drafting of two-time All-Star Kemba Walker, other moves such as the five-year contract given to Nic Batum two summers ago have hampered the team’s progress.
Jordan, in a statement released by Charlotte announcing Cho’s firing, thanked him for seven years of service.
“I want to thank Rich for all of his hard work with the Charlotte Hornets organization through the years and wish him and his family the best in the future,” Jordan said. “Rich worked tirelessly on behalf of our team and instituted a number of management tools that have benefited our organization.
Cho also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity he had with the Hornets in a statement.
“It’s been a privilege to serve as the Charlotte Hornets’ General Manager for the past seven years,” Cho said. “I want to thank Michael Jordan, Curtis Polk, and the entire organization for giving me that opportunity, and for their support since that moment.
In Cho’s more than two decades as an NBA front office professional, he has worked with the Trailblazers and Supersonics.
