The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for the Play-In Tournament first round on Tuesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. The winner earns the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets, while the loser has to fight for the No. 8 seed in a win or go home game. But there are 10 teams — including the Charlotte Hornets — whose seasons are completely over.
The Hornets, in particular, are already deep into a search for their next head coach. Steve Clifford assumed a role in the Hornets front office, leaving the team in need of a signal caller, and they are searching far and wide for Clifford’s successor.