Hornets Pick Up 2017/18 Option On GM Rich Cho

The Hornets have exercised their option on general manager Rich Cho’s contract, sources tell ESPN’s Marc Stein. The move will keep the Charlotte GM locked up through the 2017/18 season.

Cho, who has been the Hornets’ general manager since June 2011, helped build a roster that made the playoffs in 2013/14 and again in 2015/16. During Cho’s time in Charlotte, the front office has drafted players such as Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Zeller, and Frank Kaminsky.

Still, the Hornets will miss the postseason this season, and the team’s cap situation going forward isn’t all that flexible. Currently, the club has $102MM in guaranteed money committed to team salary for 2017/18, and the roster lacks any legit star-power beyond Walker, unless a player like Kaminsky can take a major step forward.

According to Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press (Twitter link), there was “a lot of intrigue in league circles” about what team owner Michael Jordan would do with Cho’s contract and the Hornets’ front office. While Charlotte will stay the course for now, the 2017/18 season figures to be a crucial one for the front office as the club looks to get back into the playoffs a year from now.

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