Done deal: the Hornets top man finalist for the Lakers position…….
Borrego, who served as a coach in New Orleans during the previous season, might be landing a second job as a sideline observer.
Who knew that two years after the Hornets fired James Borrego, he would find himself in a position to perhaps coach one of the most illustrious teams in NBA history?
In an interview with The Pat McAfee Show, Shams Charania of The Athletic stated that Borrego is thought to be a strong candidate to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. In the clubhouse, Borrego and ESPN commentator JJ Redick are seen as the front-runners to eventually get the Lakers job, which will be decided in the coming weeks.
After his abrupt firing in Charlotte, Borrego took a year off from coaching before joining the New Orleans Pelicans as assistant head coach under Willie Green. With Borrego’s assistance, New Orleans’ offensive rating improved from No. 20 to No. 11, which has been his signature while leading contemporary, free-flowing offenses.
Although Borrego’s former head coach of the Hornets is considered a major candidate in Cleveland as well as Los Angeles, New Orleans is making an effort to hold onto him. After J.B. Bickerstaff was fired by the Cavaliers, Borrego and top assistant Kenny Atkinson of the Golden State Warriors were instantly mentioned as the favorites for the job.
At this point, it’s quite evident that Borrego’s departure from the Hornets hasn’t engendered any unfavorable opinions within the Association. In fact, Borrego is thought to be a strong contender to make a full recovery and excel in his next position as the head coach of an NBA team.
Borrego finished his four-year career with the Hornets with a record of 138-163. Kemba Walker, the franchise icon and finest player, was sent to the Boston Celtics by the Hornets in a sign-and-trade transaction just a year into his time in Charlotte. Due to this, the Hornets began a rebuilding process, with Borrego now in charge of LaMelo Ball and a youthful team.
Under Borrego’s direction, the Hornets improved by ten wins per season; however, in 2022, they finished 43–39 and lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Play-In Tournament.
If Borrego does wind up playing for the Lakers or Cavaliers, it will be intriguing to watch how he performs at his next location.
It was the appropriate move for the Hornets to break things up with Borrego. Both of these locations would provide Borrego with immediate satisfaction as possible title challengers, and it was evident that the coach and the roster weren’t on the same timeline.
