Nets assistant GM Jeff Peterson under consideration for Hornets' top exec vacancy

Current Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager Jeff Peterson could be in for a big-time role as an executive.

In the wake of team president Mitch Kupchak’s transition to an advisory role, Peterson was identified as one of the key figures to watch in the Charlotte Hornets’ hunt for its newest top basketball decision-maker, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

“The Hornets' search is expected to focus on several sitting general managers, including Philadelphia's Elton Brand, New Orleans' Trajan Langdon, Cleveland's Mike Gansey and the LA Clippers' Trent Redden, sources said. Brooklyn's Jeff Peterson, Washington's Travis Schlenk, and Sacramento's Wes Wilcox are among assistant GMs who will be in consideration, sources said.”

A promising basketball executive

With the talent and expertise that he possesses in the front office, Peterson earned his rightful spot as one of the promising young executives in the league.

He ignited his humble beginnings in 2013-14 as he served as a scout for the Atlanta Hawks. Throughout the years, his position developed, and was eventually named as the team's assistant general manager in 2016. After three years, Nets general manager Sean Marks found interest in Peterson and successfully recruited him to join the Brooklyn brass before the 2019-20 season.

In a 2022 piece written by Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, Marks described Peterson as a “great sounding board” due to his great scouting empowerment and communication skills.

“He is not afraid to get a little dirty,” Marks said. “Just because you’re the assistant GM doesn’t mean you can’t do some of the other tasks, and I think for what we do here, we’re responsible for everything. Titles don’t mean anything. So it doesn’t matter who has a great idea, whether it’s a draft pick, a free agent, or whatever or trade, and Jeff is somebody who’s a great listener.

“I think that certainly helps, you know if you have a leader that listens to people, and I think that he does that really well. I think that that’s why his peers look up to him.”

A well-deserved consideration

Peterson was already linked to the Hornets’ leading FO position from last year. To add, he is also familiar with current Hornets owner Rick Schnall. The young executive managed to work with Schnall during his past tenure as the Hawks’ minority owner. As such, these factors give Peterson a significant upper hand in his case to be considered for Charlotte’s top executive helm.

Peterson made impressive marks throughout his time in Brooklyn, especially in locating talents. Should he get the nod from Charlotte, it will be a well-deserved honor for him to embrace after all the hard work and dedication he has shown since Day 1.