Report: Trail Blazers Asst. David Vanterpool Will Interview for Hornets' HC Job

The Portland Trail Blazers have granted the Charlotte Hornets permission to interview Blazers assistant coach David Vanterpool for the Hornets' vacant head-coaching job, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.  

Per that report, Vanterpool is meeting with Charlotte on Tuesday.

Vanterpool, 45, also reportedly was granted permission to interview for the Orlando Magic's vacant head-coaching position, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. He has served as an assistant in Portland since the 2013-14 season.

The Hornets fired Steve Clifford this offseason after five seasons, which included two playoff stints, though the team missed the postseason the past two years. Long-time Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak was also appointed president and general manager this offseason.

His first major decision this offseason will be hiring a head coach. The second will be how the team handles the draft. And the third will be whether Kupchak seeks to reshape the roster via trades and free agency or maintains a core of Kemba Walker, Dwight Howard, Nicolas Batum, Marvin Williams, Jeremy Lamb, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Malik Monk.

In Vanterpool, the Hornets would be landing a coach with chops on the defensive end, as Chris Haynes of ESPN.com noted: 

Charlotte, meanwhile, finished the 2017-18 season ranked 20th in defensive efficiency. So Vanterpool would potentially represent an upgrade for the team's defensive scheme.