Knicks authorized to interview James Borrego for head coach position

The New York Knicks continue to expand their search to replace Tom Thibodeau. According to ESPN, the New York franchise has received permission to interview James Borrego, currently assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans. This permission was granted by the Pelicans’ management, allowing the Knicks to add a fourth serious candidate to their list.

Borrego, 47, has served as Willie Green’s lead assistant in New Orleans since 2023. His profile stands out from some other candidates due to his recent experience as a head coach in the NBA, having led the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022.

Proven head coaching experience

The former Hornets coach has a mixed but instructive record in Charlotte, with 138 wins and 163 losses over four seasons. Despite this negative record, Borrego managed to qualify the team for the play-in tournament twice, demonstrating his ability to get the most out of limited rosters.

Before his stint in Charlotte, the coach had already gotten a taste of the head coaching position by leading 30 games in Orlando in 2014-15, winning only 10 games. This early experience gave him an initial approach to leading an NBA team.

Borrego joins Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, and Micah Nori as candidates officially interviewed by the Knicks. Unlike Brown and Jenkins, who were recently fired from their respective positions, Borrego and Nori are currently under contract, requiring permission from their current franchises.

Primarily known for his offensive expertise, the coach has solid experience on NBA benches. He notably won two titles as Gregg Popovich’s assistant in San Antonio in 2005 and 2007, credentials that could appeal to a Knicks organization seeking excellence after reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.

The Knicks’ search has proven complex for weeks, with several teams refusing to release their assistants according to sources. The permission granted by the Pelicans for Borrego thus represents an important opportunity for New York to diversify its options in this quest for a new technical leader.