Report: Hornets expected to hire Nets exec Jeff Peterson to run ops

The Charlotte Hornets are expected to hire Brooklyn Nets executive Jeff Peterson to become the team's new director of basketball operations, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Peterson, 35, is set to become the league's youngest lead executive.

The position opened earlier in February when general manager Mitch Kupchak stepped down from his post to take an advisory role. New owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, who took over majority ownership from Michael Jordan, chose Peterson to revitalize the franchise.

Peterson previously worked under Schnall with the Atlanta Hawks. Peterson rose from intern to assistant general manager within four years in Atlanta.

Prior to his time in front offices, Peterson was a college basketball player, suiting up for Iowa, Arkansas, and Florida State.

The Hornets have just one playoff appearance since rebranding from the Bobcats in 2014-15, a first-round exit in 2016. The team has just one winning season since then and own the NBA's fourth-worst record this year at 15-43.