The Charlotte Hornets have secured permission to interview several top assistant coaches for the franchise's head-coaching opening, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

Hornets coach Steve Clifford is moving into a front office role at the end of the season, allowing for new executive vice president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson to begin a search that includes receiving permission to interview Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman, Sacramento Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez, Boston Celtics assistant Charles Lee and Phoenix Suns assistant Kevin Young, sources told ESPN.

The Hornets are expected to pursue permission to interview other candidates in the coming days, sources said.