When it comes to the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/three-nba-teams-with-the-most-potential-for-february-sales-20230121-SPD-3338.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA Draft</a>, there is no such thing as a ‘can’t-miss’ kind of player. Victor Wembanyama, a French superstar, would come the closest if there were. As a result, he has caught the attention of dozens of scouts.



This year, Wembanyama looks just stunning on the pitch. He’s got the shot-blocking chops of Dikembe Mutombo, the ball-handling skills of Chris Paul, and the long-range shooting prowess of Buddy Hield.



The 19-year-old is widely expected to be selected as the first overall choice in this year’s NBA Draft, and thus, many clubs will jostle for position to choose him. Take a look at the three possible teams that have the best shot of doing just that.



<h2>3. Charlotte Hornets</h2>



This year’s <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/kyle-kuzma-to-leave-wizards-and-other-potential-upcoming-trades-involving-shooters-20221219-SPD-3270.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlotte Hornets</a> team has been a complete and utter failure. With LaMelo Ball’s health issues and the uncertainty surrounding Miles Bridges’ future, the team has been in dire need of another scorer.



If Ball’s health continues to deteriorate, the Hornets would be smart to put an end to his season. It’s attractive to think that they’ll have Wemby and Ball for the next decade, so they may as well sink the rest of the season.



<h2>2. Detroit Pistons</h2>



The youthful core that the Detroit Pistons have assembled is already among the most remarkable and promising in the NBA. Their prospects of making the playoffs were all but dashed when they lost Cade Cunningham for the year.



So, even if they lose, they may still come out on top. While waiting for Cunningham’s recovery, they may allow their young stars like Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, and Sadiq Bey to learn from their errors and develop into better players, increasing their chances of earning the first overall selection.



<h2>1. Houston Rockets</h2>



The Houston Rockets have some of the league’s youngest players. Unfortunately, coach Stephen Silas hasn’t done a good job of nurturing their abilities. They aren’t going down, but they are terrible.



However, Wembanyama has the potential to be the game-changer for this team, much as the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon did for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers. There has never been a more dynamic and adaptable jumbo frontcourt than the one that would be formed by pairing Jabari Smith Jr. with Alperen Sengun.

Top 3 most likely destinations for Victor Wembanyama

Top 3 most likely destinations for Victor Wembanyama - thesportsdrops NEWS

miniaturas

<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/celtics-new-signing-danilo-gallinari-tears-acl-on-international-duty-for-italy-2661-20220902-SPD-2661.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephen Curry</a> has declared several times during his Hall of Fame career that he wants to retire with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a>. He aspires to follow in the footsteps of legends like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Tim Duncan, who have won several championships with the same club.



The superstar point guard, it appears for the first time ever on Thursday, explored the possibility that he may play in a different jersey. However, he only plays for the local squad. The ceremony in which Curry was presented with the key to the city of Charlotte marked the opening of a door that every resident there eagerly anticipates he will eventually go through.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I’ve always said I wanted to finish my career out in Golden State because of how much it means to me. The experiences and teammates and the journey we’ve been on. Everybody ask me, ‘Wouldn’t you want to play one year for the Hornets and come back and see what….’”</blockquote>



<h2>Curry leaves door open for Hornets move</h2>



Before Curry could even complete his statement, the audience started praising the idea of him playing for Charlotte. Those who had started to get their hopes up that Curry may one day suit up for the Charlotte Hornets had to be quickly disabused of that notion, and Curry wasted no time doing so.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Oh no, don’t do that, don’t do that,” “I am not breaking any news right now, I’m not making any promises. All I would say though is if there was a team that I did want to play for that was not named the Warriors, that would be it. That’s all I can say about that.”</blockquote>

Steph Curry singles out Hornets as only team he would play for other than Warriors - thesportsdrops NEWS

Steph Curry singles out Hornets as only team he would play for other than Warriors

<a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-kenny-atkinson-to-remain-with-warriors-after-rejecting-hornets-coaching-job-1611-20220618-SPD-1611.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlotte Hornets</a>‘ hunt for a new head coach has come to a conclusion thanks to an old and well-known face. According to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-mike-dantoni-in-pole-position-for-charlotte-hornets-job-794-20220515-SPD-794.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steve Clifford</a>, the team’s head coach from 2013 to 2018, will be back.



In an unexpected turn of events, Marc Stein revealed on Thursday that Clifford was a viable contender to succeed James Borrego. After the team’s second straight loss in the play-in competition, the 44-year-old was sacked.



Clifford spoke with GM Mitch Kupchak and owner Michael Jordan earlier this week, according to Roderick Boone and Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer on Friday. Following <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-kenny-atkinson-to-become-new-charlotte-hornets-head-coach-1471-20220612-SPD-1471.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenny Atkinson</a>‘s decision to remain with the Golden State Warriors, Clifford was called to interview for the Charlotte position.



<h2>How Clifford fared in his first time with Hornets</h2>



As a coach, Clifford has a 196-214 overall record with the Hornets during his time in charge from 2013 to 2018. The Hornets have only made the playoffs twice since 2010 thanks to his leadership in both 2014 and 2016.



During his five seasons as a head coach, the 60-year-old also earned a 196-213 record. Then, Clifford served as the Orlando Magic’s head coach until 2021, leading the team to the playoffs twice.

NBA News: Steve Clifford returns to Hornets for second stint as coach since 2018 - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA News: Steve Clifford returns to Hornets for second stint as coach since 2018

A new search for a new head coach will have to take place after <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-kenny-atkinson-to-become-new-charlotte-hornets-head-coach-1471-20220612-SPD-1471.html" data-type="URL" data-id="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-kenny-atkinson-to-become-new-charlotte-hornets-head-coach-1471-20220612-SPD-1471.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenny Atkinson</a> backed out of taking the post, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Instead, Atkinson will continue with the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-stephen-curry-wins-first-finals-mvp-award-in-career-1586-20220617-SPD-1586.html" data-type="URL" data-id="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-stephen-curry-wins-first-finals-mvp-award-in-career-1586-20220617-SPD-1586.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> as Steve Kerr’s assistant coach.



On June 18, the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-mike-dantoni-in-pole-position-for-charlotte-hornets-job-794-20220515-SPD-794.html" data-type="URL" data-id="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-mike-dantoni-in-pole-position-for-charlotte-hornets-job-794-20220515-SPD-794.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlotte Hornets</a> agreed to a four-year contract with Atkinson as their new head coach after a series of interviews over the preceding several weeks. It was expected that he would help their defense after the organization dismissed James Borrego after only four seasons due to his unwillingness to keep his teammates responsible.



At this moment, it’s not apparent why Atkinson chose to change his mind and stay with the Warriors. According to Wojnarowski, that occurred after ‘additional discussions’.



<h2>What now for Hornets?</h2>



In the 2022 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors beat the Boston Celtics, led by Atkinson as their assistant coach, to win their first championship. Atkinson may just want to remain in the Bay Area so that he can compete for championships, coach some of the finest players of this age, and work for a top franchise.



Unfortunately for Charlotte’s upcoming 2022 NBA Draft and next free-agent market, they will have to start over from scratch, which isn’t an ideal situation. Mike D’Antoni and Terry Stotts were also considered contenders for the position before Atkinson was chosen.

NBA News: Kenny Atkinson to remain with Warriors after rejecting Hornets coaching job - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA News: Kenny Atkinson to remain with Warriors after rejecting Hornets coaching job

As of now, a new head coach has been hired by the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/which-is-the-most-valuable-nba-team-176-20220503-SPD-176.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlotte Hornets</a> for the season 2022-2023. They have named <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/top-3-best-power-forwards-of-all-time-in-nba-259-20220503-SPD-259.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenny Atkinson</a> as the successor to James Borrego. A four-year contract was agreed upon, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.



During a Wednesday meeting, Borrego was able to finalize the contract with Hornets executives, including owner Michael Jordan. <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-mike-dantoni-in-pole-position-for-charlotte-hornets-job-794-20220515-SPD-794.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mike D’Antoni</a>, the former head coach of the Houston Rockets, had also been a finalist for the position of head coach of the Hornets at one point.



Kenny Atkinson, whose contract will be for the next four years, is Steve Kerr’s assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors right now, and they’re in the NBA Finals. The Hornets will have him as their head coach next season as they attempt to build on their success this year.



<h2>What Kenny Atkinson will bring to Hornets</h2>



When it comes to developing young players, it seems that Atkinson is among the best. Every stop he’s made in the past proves this theory true. As a member of the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-brooklyn-nets-and-kyrie-irving-yet-to-discuss-contract-extension-861-20220518-SPD-861.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a>, he helped develop Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and D’Angelo Russell into three of the most promising young guards in the league. 



After that, he became an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he helped develop Terance Mann into one of the most impressive players in the playoffs of 2021.

NBA Rumors: Kenny Atkinson to become new Charlotte Hornets head coach - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Kenny Atkinson to become new Charlotte Hornets head coach

Marc Stein of Substack believes <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-ben-simmons-could-be-traded-to-hawks-without-ever-playing-for-nets-646-20220511-SPD-646.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mike D’Antoni</a> has a good chance of becoming the next head coach of the Charlotte Hornets.



In 2021-22, D’Antoni worked as an assistant coach for the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/which-is-the-most-valuable-nba-team-176-20220503-SPD-176.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> before serving as a consultant with the New Orleans Pelicans last season. In the season 2019-20, he served as head coach of the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/top-3-best-power-forwards-of-all-time-in-nba-259-20220503-SPD-259.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houston Rockets</a>.



As LaMelo Ball’s primary offensive coordinator, the Hornets are looking for a seasoned coach who can work well with him. 



<h2>Mike D’Antoni tops list of candidates for new Hornets’ coach</h2>



Kenny Atkinson, Darvin Ham, Sean Sweeney, and <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-los-angeles-lakers-interview-mark-jackson-and-terry-stotts-for-coaching-position-533-20220507-SPD-533.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frank Vogel</a> are among the others who have been shortlisted for an interview for the position. Now, Marc Stein writes in his newest newsletter that Mike D’Antoni is the favorite to be the next head coach in Charlotte.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“There is ongoing buzz in league coaching circles that Mike D’Antoni is in a strong position to land the Charlotte Hornets’ head coaching job. Defensive issues were said to be a key element of James Borrego’s unexpected downfall after four solid seasons, but Charlotte is nonetheless said to want a veteran coach who can forge a strong connection with All-Star guard LaMelo Ball, who would presumably thrive in an offense D’Antoni surely tailors around him completely. Another factor in D’Antoni’s favor despite his reputed aversion to defensive matters: Hornets president of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak already hired D’Antoni once with the Lakers.”<cite>Marc Stein of Substack</cite></blockquote>

Charlotte Hornets

Top 3 most likely destinations for Victor Wembanyama

Steph Curry singles out Hornets as only team he would play for other than Warriors

NBA News: Steve Clifford returns to Hornets for second stint as coach since 2018

NBA News: Kenny Atkinson to remain with Warriors after rejecting Hornets coaching job

NBA Rumors: Kenny Atkinson to become new Charlotte Hornets head coach

NBA Rumors: Mike D'Antoni in pole position for Charlotte Hornets' job

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