Hornets reward Lee with extension after 25-win jump in 2026

The Charlotte Hornets extended Charles Lee’s contract after he nearly ended the team’s 11-year playoff absence.

Coach Lee signs contract extension The Charlotte Hornets finalized an agreement to retain Charles Lee as head coach following a season where the team improved by 25 victories. Terms of the new contract were not disclosed. The franchise came within one win of ending its league-high 11-season playoff drought under Lee’s leadership. ## Hornets GM praises Lee’s leadership Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson released a statement celebrating Lee’s contributions. In the statement, Peterson said, "Charles has done an outstanding job establishing a foundation for who we want to be as a team." Peterson noted Lee and his staff focused on player growth and created a culture emphasizing commitment, improvement, and accountability. He added his excitement about continuing to collaborate with Lee to build toward lasting success. ## Team’s late-season surge falls short After a slow start of 4-14 amid early injuries, the Hornets turned things around after January 2, posting a 33-15 record to finish with 44 total wins. The team’s playoff hopes ended with a loss to Orlando in the second Eastern Conference play-in game, leaving the longest active postseason drought intact at 11 seasons. Lee earned his first Eastern Conference Coach of the Month award in January after guiding the team to an 11-6 record. ## Historic month for Lee’s coaching During January, Lee’s squad tied for the highest road point differential in any single month in NBA history, at plus-151. His leadership this season marked just his second year as head coach. The award recognized his impact in transforming the team’s performance and culture. ## Related Hornets updates A separate report confirmed Hornets player Miller underwent surgery to address shoulder instability. Another Hornets player, Diabaté, received the league’s Hustle Award for his contributions this season.