Golden State Warriors: Top assistant sensationally backflips

Already riding high from being crowned as NBA champions yet again, the Golden State Warriors received even more good news in the aftermath of their fourth title in eight seasons, especially after already having the need to fill one coaching position this offseason.

Just yesterday, most thought the Dubs were losing both Kenny Atkinson and Mike Brown. The latter of which will head to Sacramento to take over the Kings who have former Warriors forward Harrison Barnes.

Kenny Atkinson, former Nets head coach and Warriors assistant alongside Steve Kerr, has turned on the Hornets head coaching job to remain in Golden State.

Golden State was set to lose its top two assistant coaches, Atkinson and Mike Brown, both of which played major roles in the Warriors’ remarkable rise back to the apex of the NBA.

Brown, a lead assistant since 2016 who stepped in as acting head coach during two separate playoff runs, accepted the top role at the Sacramento Kings nearly six weeks ago. It appeared like the Warriors would need to replace two top assistants, with Atkinson agreeing to the Hornets coaching job just last week.

But they’ll now only require one as Atkinson re-commits to the Warriors in the wake of their championship run. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Atkinson’s family was at the center of his decision.

"“After accepting Charlotte’s job offer during the NBA Finals last week, further conversations with the Hornets’ organization led Atkinson to believe that both professionally and personally it would be best to remain with the Warriors. Atkinson and the Hornets had agreed in principle to a four-year deal, but a contract was never signed”."

Atkinson’s stunning reversal is one less matter on the Warriors’ offseason priority list. Along with replacing Brown, Bob Myers and the front office will have their work cut out to re-sign key free agents and maintain their championship roster.

There are many free agents on the board for other teams to poach. Names like Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II and Kevon Looney will be key players the Dubs must try to retain. The Kings could certainly be a team that targets Looney.

As for the Hornets, they’ll have to restart their hunt for a head coach. Terry Stotts was a name to keep an eye on, but nothing is set in stone for the Queen City. While the news of not getting a head coach is never ideal, the Warriors should be thankful for Atkinson’s decision.