Charlotte assistant Mark Price interviewed to become the Cavaliers’ coach last summer.
Cleveland ultimately hired David Blatt, but it seemed Price – as teams sought the next Jeff Hornacek – was on the fast track to becoming an NBA head coach.
Price will indeed become a head coach – just not in the NBA.
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer:
Price’s – and Steve Clifford’s and the Hornets’ entire staff’s – star has faded during this disappointing season. How much blame they deserve after Charlotte followed its breakthrough season with a horrid start is a little more questionable.
Price’s most prominent task was fixing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s jumper, and the results are encouraging. Kidd-Gilchrist is shooting 40 percent from at least 10 feet after shooting 27 percent last season.
The timing of this shakeup isn’t ideal for the Hornets, who are just a half game outside playoff position.
But this will give Price head-coaching experience he previously lacked. If the 49ers do well, expect Price to get even more consideration for NBA vacancies.