CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -Bernie Bickerstaff accepted a new role with the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday, a move that could lead part-owner Michael Jordan to hire a general manager.
In a news conference to introduce Sam Vincent as coach, Jordan announced Bickerstaff, the team’s coach and GM since its inception three years ago, will become an executive vice president.
“I felt the necessary need to keep Bernie involved,” Jordan said. “He’ll be my right-hand man. We’ve had a great relationship over the last year or so.”
Jordan said they may hire a GM to help with personnel issues. Charlotte has yet to replace assistant GM Karl Hicks, who took a job this spring with the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“Have we entertained conversations about possibly having a GM? Yes,” Jordan said.
Bickerstaff has been credited with building a solid core of young talent. He surrendered the final say on basketball decisions when Jordan bought into the team last June. But the two say they’ve worked well together and Bickerstaff was heavily involved in the coaching search.
“Bernie and I are doing a pretty good job,” Jordan said. “We have great conversations.”
Vincent, who has never been an NBA head coach, indicated he may hire an experienced assistant to help the transition. One possibility is former coach of the year Del Harris. His contract as a Dallas assistant runs out this summer.
“Del Harris would make sense,” Vincent said. “I don’t know exactly what will happen with him in Dallas.”
Vincent also mentioned former college and NBA coach Lee Rose, who was Vincent’s mentor as supervisor of coaches in the NBA’s developmental league.
“If he wants to talk, that’s great,” Rose said.
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