The Charlotte Hornets are adding another experienced coach to Charles Lee's staff ahead of the 2026-27 season.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Charlotte is hiring John Bryant as an assistant coach. Bryant most recently worked under Billy Donovan with the Chicago Bulls.
The move comes after Charlotte made major progress last season, finishing 44-38 and improving by 25 wins in Lee's second year as head coach.
The Hornets subsequently signed Lee to a contract extension in May.
Bryant brings extensive NBA coaching experience
Bryant joined Donovan's Bulls staff in 2020 and remained in Chicago for several seasons, also taking on Summer League head-coaching responsibilities during his tenure.
Before Chicago, Bryant spent four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers organization.
He initially joined Brett Brown's staff in a player-development role in 2016 before being promoted to assistant coach in 2018. Bryant remained with Philadelphia through 2020, working under Brown and later Doc Rivers.
His NBA coaching path was preceded by several years in the G League. Bryant worked as an assistant with the Bakersfield Jam from 2011 to 2014 before spending two seasons with the Delaware 87ers, Philadelphia's G League affiliate.
Former professional player joins rising Hornets
Bryant also has experience from the player's perspective.
The Virginia native played college basketball at Saint Joseph's before embarking on a six-year professional career that included time in the NBA G League as well as stops overseas in Australia, England and Germany.
He now joins a Charlotte organization looking to build on its breakthrough 2025-26 campaign.
The Hornets won 28 of their final 38 regular-season games last season before beating the Miami Heat in their first play-in game and eventually being eliminated by the Orlando Magic.