With the season winding down, the New Orleans Pelicans will start to face some crucial decisions in the offseason, but no choice is more important than picking the team's next head coach.
For the last several years, Willie Green started and ended the season as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, but after a 2–10 start, he was fired and his assistant, James Borrego, was named interim head coach.
The idea was that Borrego would bring an offensive-minded style that better fit this roster and run a system that emphasized shooting and playing with pace. Not many expected the former Charlotte Hornets coach to turn the season around or to have the Pelicans in a playoff spot. All that was asked of him was to have this group competing on both ends every night and to develop habits that could translate to success in 2026-27.
To Borrego’s credit, he has accomplished that since taking over. The Pelicans have posted a 23-38 record and have seen their net rating jump from 27th to 21st in the league. The real test has come following the All-Star break, where the team is 10-7 and has the 11th-best offensive rating in the league.
Borrego has done an impressive job, but the Pelicans can't rush this next process and must play the long game as much as possible.
Pelicans must keep their coaching search wide open
Even if the front office believes Borrego is their guy, they need to interview other candidates. Who knows, in two months, there may be even better candidates than the ones already on the market. Considering how the Orlando and Philadelphia seasons have gone, we could see coaches at the level of Nick Nurse and Jamahl Mosley available. Even coaches like Ty Lue or Jason Kidd could be options depending on the directions the Clippers and Mavericks take this summer.
Beyond those names, there are also several intriguing assistants out there.
Someone like Darvin Ham, who's the lead assistant for the Bucks under Doc Rivers, could be an interesting option. I understand many fans are against that idea because of how his stint with the Lakers ended, but that team was a disaster that very few coaches could have handled. With a young core that needs a motivator, he could be a great fit.
Other options include Ben Sullivan, who's with the Rockets and has been an assistant under Ime Udoka since his time in Boston. Sam Cassell, who's a former player and NBA champion, has been a huge piece in the incredible season the Celtics are having this year, and the energetic Micah Nori, who works under Chris Finch with the Timberwolves.
And I haven't even mentioned both Mike Malone and Taylor Jenkins, who were fired last season and could be potentially awaiting another head coaching gig.
A coach lays the foundation, sets the tone, and creates a culture, and New Orleans needs to make sure it hires someone whose vision aligns with the front office's direction. So, no matter how the Pelicans' decision makers feel about the way Borrego has handled this season, they can't neglect the idea of exploring external options this summer.