Report: Agents have side-stepped Hornets' GM, dealt directly with Jordan

To the surprise of no one, Michael Jordan plays a hands-on role as the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets.

Jordan is a strong voice in the Hornets' decision-making process and his directives led to the signing of Al Jefferson and the drafting of Frank Kaminsky ninth overall this summer (turning down a package of six picks), reports Grantland's Zach Lowe.

Moreover, some agents have even bypassed general manager Rich Cho entirely to deal directly with Jordan.

That, of course, steps on the responsibilities of Cho, as normally it's the GM who deals with agents on negotiations, while tabbing the owner for approval and input.

It also doesn't help that the Hornets turned over their scouting and analytics departments in the past year, with Jordan placing two members of his family in the front office: his brother Larry is the director player personnel, while his daughter Jasmine serves as coordinator of basketball operations.

But Cho said it's normal for owners to play a role in decision making.

"If you canvass the league," Cho said, "pretty much every owner has final say."

However, few owners are as hands-on as Jordan reportedly is. Jordan's track record is sketchy at times, including drafting Kwame Brown (No. 1 overall) and Adam Morrison (No. 3 overall), plus the worst season in NBA history in 2011-12, when the Charlotte Bobcats finished 7-59.

Still, there's reason for hope. The Hornets addressed a long-standing weakness by stockpiling shooting this summer, with Nicolas Batum serving as their crown jewel. Batum joins a talented group that could make a run for a low playoff seed in the Eastern Conference next season, should their core manage to gel and to stay healthy.