Fansided

Power ranking the NBA coaching vacancies

By Rucker Haringey

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game Seven in Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game Seven in Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 15: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers were wearing jerseys referring to the real-life 1911 Indiana high school state championship team featured in the movie “Hoosiers.” NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 15: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers were wearing jerseys referring to the real-life 1911 Indiana high school state championship team featured in the movie “Hoosiers.” NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

5. Charlotte hornets

With all due respect to Michael Jordan, his opening is the least attractive job in the NBA to date. The instability of the Hornets’ front office combined with the team’s lack of flexibility moving forward make it a really low-ceiling opportunity.

Can the Hornets make it back to the Eastern Conference Playoffs next season? Sure, but what is that actually worth? There’s no real path for them to become a legitimate title contender without blowing the roster up. Jordan and company have shown zero inclination to go with that sort of philosophy.

Instead, the next Hornets coach is likely going to be blessed and cursed with Kemba Walker for the entirety of his tenure. Walker is an All-Star level point guard right now, but the prime of his career is nearly over. The team will almost certainly be forced to hand him a massive contract extension just as his play will start to decline. That’s a recipe for absolute disaster.

Outside of Walker the roster is pretty ugly. Nicolas Batum was brought in to be a secondary creator but he’s been awful. His massive contract makes him practically immovable as well.

There isn’t a great deal of young talent to build your hopes and dreams on either. Malik Monk was a massive disappointment in his first season. That leaves the new coach to hope for the likes of Dwayne Bacon and Willy Hernangomez to form the foundation of the team’s future. The team will hope to hit on what’s projected to be a late-lottery pick but that’s risky business. It’s easy to see why this is the worst opening in the NBA.

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