**Celtics Lose Two More Assistant Coaches to the Hornets**
While the Celtics will retain most of their roster for next season’s title defense, they face significant changes on the coaching bench. Top assistant Charles Lee has accepted the head coaching position with the Hornets and is taking several Boston coaches with him. The Hornets announced on Wednesday that Blaine Mueller and Jermaine Bucknor will join Lee’s staff, along with former Celtics point guard Kemba Walker.
Mueller coached the Maine Celtics to their most successful G-League season, falling just one game short of a title after losing to the Oklahoma City Blue in the Finals.
Bucknor, who was part of Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff for one season, transitioned into NBA coaching following a successful professional career overseas. Additionally, the Celtics lost senior consultant Jeff Van Gundy to an assistant coaching role with the Clippers last month.
These departures give Joe Mazzulla the opportunity to promote internally for the upcoming season. The team is adding Mazzulla’s former college player God Shammgod Jr. as a player development coach.
Sam Cassell, who was considered for head coaching positions around the league and targeted as an assistant, will reportedly return alongside Mazzulla next season. Much of the Celtics’ coaching staff will be back in action next week for NBA Summer League play in Las Vegas, starting on July 13. The team is expected to announce the Summer League head coach and roster soon.
