Ex-Lakers Exec Mitch Kupchak Reportedly Offered Hornets' GM Position

The Charlotte Hornets have reportedly offered their general manager position to former Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Per that report, the Hornets "are confident they can soon seal a deal" with Kupchak. And Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer added that Kupchak to the Hornets is "basically a done deal."

Kupchak, 63, was with the Lakers' front office from 1986-2017, starting as an assistant general manager under Jerry West before taking over the post in 2000. The Lakers won two championships with Kupchak as the general manager, though he was fired in Feb. 2017 after Magic Johnson took over as president of basketball operations.

Former sports agent Rob Pelinka was hired to replace Kupchak. 

Kupchak's potential hiring comes after the Hornets fired general manager Rich Cho in February.

Cho, 52, served as the Hornets general manager since 2011, though the Hornets have reached the postseason just twice in his tenure. Cho drafted Kemba Walker in 2011, though subsequent first-round picks such as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Zeller, Noah Vonleh and Frank Kaminsky weren't home runs.

Additionally, the acquisition of Dwight Howard last offseason didn't propel the Hornets to the postseason.

"Rich worked tirelessly on behalf of our team and instituted a number of management tools that have benefited our organization," owner Michael Jordan said in February, per USA Today. "We are deeply committed to our fans and to the city of Charlotte to provide a consistent winner on the court. The search will now begin for our next head of basketball operations who will help us achieve that goal."