The Hornets have signed head coach Charles Lee to a multiyear contract extension, the team announced today in a press release.
Lee, who took over for Steve Clifford in 2024, won just 19 games in his first year on the job as the rebuilding Hornets battled the injury bug. However, he guided the team to a 25-win improvement in 2025/26. Although Charlotte ultimately fell one win short of the playoffs, the club’s 44-38 record was its best regular season mark since 2015/16.
“Charles has done an outstanding job establishing a foundation for who we want to be as a team,” president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson said in a statement. “From day one, Charles and his staff have prioritized player development, creating an environment where each of our players are committed to getting better and continue to improve. He has built a team-first culture rooted in accountability, hard work and professionalism. I’m excited to keep working closely with Charles as we continue to build the Hornets for long-term success.”
The Hornets actually got off to a poor start again in ’25/26, opening the regular season by losing 14 of their first 18 games and compiling an 11-23 record heading into a January 3 game in Chicago. From that point on though, Charlotte was one of the NBA’s best teams, finishing the season on a 33-15 run and ranking first in the NBA in offensive rating (120.6), fourth in defensive rating (109.9), and first in net rating (+10.7) during that stretch.
After winning the 9/10 play-in game over the Heat, the Hornets lost their second play-in game to the Magic, but their second half performance still provided plenty of optimism for the team’s future.
We don’t know the exact terms of Lee’s new contract, but when he was hired in 2024, reports indicated he signed a four-year contract. Presumably, he still had two years left on that deal, though it’s possible the final year was an option. Even if his new deal replaced that last season and only tacked on one additional year beyond that, that means he’ll be under contract through at least 2029 — and it’s entirely possible his new deal goes beyond that.
Borrego won more games year after year and wasn’t extended.
Sometimes that’s not enough to get you a new contract. Why isn’t New Orleans promoting him? Lee is clearly bringing something that is effective but only time will tell.