The 2025-26 season is fast approaching, and although expectations may not be high for the Pelicans across the NBA, they are definitely high within the Pelicans organization.
After a lackluster 2024-25 season that was jammed packed with injuries and losses, Joe Dumars came in and, in one offseason, made plenty of improvements to the New Orleans roster. He added talent, championship experience, leadership, and depth.
With the way the Pelicans roster is constructed, the front office is likely expecting them to be a competitive team that's slightly above .500 next season. If there are signs of not reaching that goal early into the 2025-26 campaign, the Pelicans may look to shake things up. If Dumars feels change is needed early next season, the obvious scapegoat is head coach Willie Green.
Since taking over the Pelicans in 2021, Green has compiled a mediocre win-loss record of 148 wins to 180 losses.
During this time, there has been a lack of postseason success as Green has only led the Pels to the playoffs twice in his 4 years with the team. The most recent playoff appearance came in 2023-24, and the OKC Thunder quickly eliminated them in 4 games.
With new leadership entering the front office this summer, many expected Green to be fired, as usually, when a new GM or President takes over, they like to hire their own head coach. However, Dumars elected not to fire Green and instead gave him a chance to prove himself. But, I suspect that Green's margin for error isn't large, and he could get the boot before the New Year.
It may not be just the teams performance that leads to Green's firing
Even though I think the Pelicans' record could play a huge role in Green being fired early into next season, it's not the only reason Dumars could decide to part ways with him. James Borrego is the other reason.
Borrego is a former head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and is currently Willie Green's lead assistant. Borrego's name has been in plenty of reports this offseason, including being a leading candidate for the New York Knicks head coaching opening before they elected to hire Mike Brown. He is regarded around the NBA as an offensive genius and is well respected. I highly doubt Borrego makes it through another offseason cycle without being named the head coach of a team.
The idea of Borrego leaving New Orleans to become the head coach of another team is a scary thought for the Pelicans. Since arriving, he has only made the Pels offense better, as in his first season in New Orleans, their offense ranking jumped up 10 spots. Before having him as an assistant on the Greens staff, the Pelicans' offense was stale and boring, which is something Borrego changed.
If the Pelicans start off the 2025-26 season on the wrong foot, the obvious move is to part ways with Willie Green. Not only has there been a lack of results with him as head coach, but James Borrego may also be too good for the Pelicans not to promote.