The lifeless Charlotte Hornets are set to bring in a new head coach after their disastrous 2023-24 season comes to a conclusion.
Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford is going to step down and accept a front office role after his second stint on the bench with the Hornets.
It makes sense for all involved. Charlotte heads into this week’s action with a mere 19-59 record. The team has not earned a playoff spot since all the way back in 2015-16. It has not won a playoff series since 2001-02. Needless to say, a makover is necessary for the downtrodden organization.
That could now come with a surprise new hire to run things on the bench for this young team. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hornets have been granted permission to speak with Sacramento Kings G-League head coach Lindsey Harding for the opening.
Related: 4 Charlotte Hornets candidates to replace Steve Clifford as head coach
What hiring Lindsey Harding would mean for the Charlotte Hornets and the NBA
The 39-year-old Harding was the No. 1 overall pick of the Phoenix Mercury in the 2007 WNBA Draft before ultimately being traded to the Minnesota Lynx. This came after a brilliant career at Duke that saw her win the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2007.
Harding played eight seasons in the WNBA before continuing her career overseas. She’s coming off earning NBA G-League Coach of the Year honors for the Stockton Kings.
Obviously, this would be an historic hire for the Charlotte Hornets and the NBA. We’ve seen other women interview for head coach jobs in the past, including current Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon. But nothing has come to fruition on this end.
There has also been talk about South Carolina women’s head coach Dawn Staley making the jump to the NBA. That will likely be taken to a whole new level after she led them to an undefeated season.
In any event, this is certainly something worth watching as the Hornets’ process of finding a new head coach plays out.