Hornets to rent Jeff Peterson as high govt, sources say

The Charlotte Hornets are planning to rent Brooklyn Nets govt Jeff Peterson because the franchise’s subsequent head of basketball operations, and the edges count on to succeed in a contractual settlement quickly, sources instructed ESPN on Thursday.

Peterson, 35, is finishing a meteoric rise to supervise the Hornets’ entrance workplace and grow to be tasked with revitalizing one of many league’s historically underperforming franchises. New homeowners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin selected Peterson to exchange Mitch Kupchak, who’s transferring from normal supervisor into an advisory position with the Hornets.

Charlotte’s possession is satisfied of Peterson’s skill to be a long-term chief for the group and ship it the sort of participant personnel acumen, relationships and deal-making skill with rival executives, participant brokers and gamers crucial to remodel the Hornets right into a formidable franchise.

Peterson — one in every of a dozen candidates who sources stated had interviews with the Hornets’ possession — has historical past with Schnall, who served as a minority proprietor for the Hawks, the place Peterson rose from an intern to an assistant GM inside 4 years. Peterson constructed a very good skilled relationship with Hornets coach Steve Clifford throughout their time with the Nets, the place Clifford served as a training advisor within the 2021-22 season.

The Hornets began to collect up property forward of the February commerce deadline, buying future first-round draft picks from the Warmth and Mavericks.

Peterson joined Nets GM Sean Marks as an assistant GM in 2019 and have become a trusted No. 2 on a workers that attracted Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free company and traded for James Harden.

He is the second assistant GM from Marks’ entrance workplace to raise right into a GM-level position elsewhere. New Orleans GM Trajan Langdon left for a promotion with the Pelicans in 2019.

Peterson — a local of Springfield, Missouri — performed faculty basketball within the Large Ten, SEC and ACC for Iowa, Arkansas and Florida State.

Schnall and Plotkin have began spearheading vital change and upgrades within the Hornets’ infrastructure since buying a majority curiosity within the crew from Michael Jordan for $3 billion in August.

The Hornets made a number of roster strikes forward of the Feb. 8 commerce deadline to begin gathering draft property and younger gamers, together with two future first-round picks in trades that despatched out Terry Rozier and P.J. Washington. Rookie ahead Brandon Miller — the No. 2 choose in final 12 months’s NBA draft — has proven the promise of a future All-Star to go together with All-Star level guard LaMelo Ball.

The franchise has additionally launched into a $275 million enviornment renovation and plans for a brand new $60 million follow facility. Earlier than becoming a member of the Hornets in 2018, Kupchak had a adorned 30-year run within the Lakers’ entrance workplace — together with 17 years as GM with 4 NBA championships and 6 Western Convention titles. Kupchak gained seven titles as an govt, two as a Lakers participant and one as a Washington participant.