The Charlotte Hornets have locked in head coach Charles Lee with a contract extension, announced Thursday, following a remarkable season that saw the team flip the script with a 25-game improvement in wins.
While the team didn't disclose the specific terms of Lee's new deal, the move signals a vote of confidence in a coach who has quickly turned the Hornets into a contender. "Charles has done an outstanding job establishing a foundation for who we want to be as a team," said Jeff Peterson, the Hornets' president of basketball operations. "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."
The turnaround has been nothing short of impressive. After winning just 19 games in Lee's first season, the Hornets caught fire late in the year, rallying to a 44-win campaign before falling to the Orlando Magic in the play-in tournament. That 25-win leap is the largest year-over-year improvement in franchise history—a stat that speaks volumes about the culture shift in Charlotte.
"I'm excited about the direction we're headed and our team's bright future," Lee said. "Our players have shown a real commitment to growth, and I'm proud of the culture we're establishing together."
Lee's next challenge? Ending the Hornets' 11-year playoff drought, the longest active streak in the NBA. But if the second half of this season is any indication, they're well on their way. After stumbling to a 16-28 start, Charlotte flipped a switch, finishing the season with a blistering 28-10 record. Rookie Kon Knueppel and star guard LaMelo Ball finished 1-2 in the league in three-pointers made, giving the Hornets one of the most dangerous backcourts from deep.
Under Lee's guidance, the Hornets posted the NBA's best net rating (+10.5) from January 1 through the end of the regular season, ranking first in offensive rating (120.7) and fifth in defensive rating (110.2). They also led the league in rebounding percentage (54.8%), second-chance points (19.0 per game), and three-pointers made per game (17.3) during that stretch. The momentum carried into the play-in tournament, where Charlotte beat Miami for its first postseason win since 2016.
January was a particularly dominant month. The Hornets went 11-6 and tied for the highest point differential on the road (+151) in any month in NBA history, earning Lee the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month award. Charlotte also set a franchise record for three-pointers in a season, proving that this team is built to shoot, rebound, and compete with the best.
For a franchise that has been searching for stability and success, Lee's extension is more than just a reward—it's a statement that the Hornets are ready to take the next step. And with a young core led by Ball, Knueppel, and a developing roster, the future in Charlotte has never looked brighter.