In a significant NBA development, Steve Clifford is rumored to be stepping down as the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets after the season, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. However, Clifford won't be leaving the organization entirely as he is expected to transition into a role within the Hornets' front office.

As the Hornets start their search for a new head coach, one name that is reportedly on their radar is Charles Lee, an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. Lee, who has been coaching in the NBA since 2014, is said to be considered for the top coaching job in Charlotte.

The 39-year-old Lee has an impressive coaching background, having played four professional seasons overseas before transitioning into an assistant role at Bucknell University for two campaigns. He then moved on to become an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks for four seasons, followed by five seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he played a pivotal role in their NBA championship victory in the 2020-2021 season.

Lee joined the Boston Celtics before the start of this season and has played a crucial part in helping the team secure the No. 1 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference as Joe Mazzulla's top assistant.

According to reports, the Hornets are wasting no time in their coaching search and will begin the process "immediately." In addition to Charles Lee, the Sacramento Kings' Jordi Fernandez, the Miami Heat's Chris Quinn, and the Phoenix Suns' Kevin Young are also expected to be among the candidates that will garner interest from the Hornets.

As the coaching landscape in Charlotte undergoes a transformation, the team looks poised to make a splash with their choice for a new head coach. The decision to potentially bring on Charles Lee could provide a fresh perspective and a winning mentality to a team looking to make a mark in the NBA.