The New York Knicks have taken steps in their search for a new head coach by obtaining permission from the New Orleans Pelicans to interview James Borrego, who is currently serving as an assistant coach. This development was first reported by James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.
Borrego, 47, has been an associate head coach under Willie Green for the past two seasons in New Orleans. He brings with him a wealth of experience as a former head coach, with a record of 138-163 over four seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and a brief 10-20 stint as an interim head coach with the Orlando Magic a decade ago.
His interview marks him as the fourth candidate to meet with the Knicks following the firing of Tom Thibodeau after their exit in the Eastern Conference Finals. Other candidates include Taylor Jenkins, Mike Brown, and current Minnesota assistant Micah Nori. Additionally, the Knicks are exploring the possibility of bringing in Jason Kidd from Dallas, though the Mavericks have already denied a request to speak with him.
As the Knicks prioritize player development in their search for a new head coach, there are indications they might also be considering Chris Quinn, an assistant coach with the Miami Heat, although no formal request for an interview has been made at this time.
This coaching search reflects the Knicks’ commitment to building a strong foundation focused on developing young talent. By considering a range of candidates, including those with prior head coaching experience and expertise in player development, they are setting themselves up for a strategic decision that could benefit the franchise moving forward.