The Charlotte Hornets are intensifying their search for a new head coach by interviewing several prominent candidates to fill the position.

The team has missed the postseason for the eighth straight campaign, concluding this season with a 21-61 record, which ranks third worst in the Eastern Conference.

The team has now conducted preliminary round interviews, which include Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Jordan Ott and former Raptors 905 G-League coach and two-time NBA All-Star Jerry Stackhouse, according to league insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The team announced earlier this month that current head coach Steve Clifford will step down when his contract expires at the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season.

The 62-year-old is expected to transition into an advisory role with the Hornets front office next season.

Hornets also interviewing other top assistant coaches

Aside from Ott and Stackhouse, the Hornets also interview several other assistant coaches within the league.

These include David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets, Charles Lee of the Boston Celtics, Jordi Fernandez of the Sacramento Kings, Jay Larranaga of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kevin Young of the Phoenix Suns, and Lindsey Harding, coach of the Sacramento Kings' G League team in Stockton.

The Hornets are also interviewing Royal Ivey, an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets.