Latest news with #JamesBorrego
New York Post
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Mike Brown misses out on top Knicks assistant target with James Borrego staying with Pelicans
James Borrego won't be joining Mike Brown at the Garden. Borrego, whom the Knicks interviewed for their head coaching vacancy and then eyed as a potential associate head coach after hiring Brown, is staying with the Pelicans in his role as Willie Green's associate, SNY reported Wednesday. The Post's Stefan Bondy previously reported there was skepticism New Orleans would grant Borrego permission to leave for a lateral move. Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego will remain with New Orleans next season. Getty Images New Knicks head coach Mike Brown speaks at his introductory press conference on July 8, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Brown will get to choose his lead assistant as Bondy reported Tuesday that Jalen Brunson's dad, Rick, has accepted a lesser role than the one he held under Tom Thibodeau, who was fired last month after the Knicks were eliminated by the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. Assistants Darren Erman, Mo Cheeks and Mark Bryant are expected to remain on Brown's staff as holdovers from Thibodeau's tenure.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top assistant coach eyed by Knicks for Mike Brown's staff, but there's a catch
The post Top assistant coach eyed by Knicks for Mike Brown's staff, but there's a catch appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Knicks have officially hired Mike Brown as head coach to replace Tom Thibodeau. With a new coach in place, the organization is now trying to find ways to fill Brown's staff. Reports indicate that the front office is eying one of the league's top assistants, but there seems to be a hurdle to overcome. Advertisement James Borrego is being named as the top assistant the Knicks want to hire, according to insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. However, reports indicate that Borrego's current team, the New Orleans Pelicans, wants to keep him on their staff. 'League sources tell Jake Fischer and me that the Knicks have interest in hiring James Borrego as Mike Brown's top assistant … but sources tell me New Orleans' preference is that Borrego stays as Willie Green's top assistant.' Borrego has been a hot name in this year's coaching cycle, and yet, he remains the top assistant coach in New Orleans. If the Pelicans are adamant about keeping him on the coaching staff, then Mike Brown and the Knicks will likely have to look elsewhere. James Borrego, who is 47 years old, has been coaching in the NBA since 2003. He's been an assistant throughout most of his career, as he had his first and only head coaching gig with the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 through 2022. He was hired as the Pelicans' assistant in 2023 and holds that position today. Advertisement As for New York, the front office is busy filling out Brown's staff and making moves to improve the roster. The two most notable acquisitions by the Knicks so far have been center Guerschon Yabusele, who signed a two-year, $12 million deal, and guard Jordan Clarkson. More moves are expected by the Knicks, as the club has been involved in trade rumors. With the Eastern Conference viewed as a wide-open conference, New York would be wise to pull off some big moves to help its chances of reaching the NBA Finals next season. Related: Who is the Knicks newest free agent signing? Related: Knicks rumors: New York 'checks in' with Ben Simmons
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks rumors: New York ‘tossing around' coach idea after 2 ‘impressive' interviews
The post Knicks rumors: New York 'tossing around' coach idea after 2 'impressive' interviews appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Knicks shocked the basketball world when they fired longtime head coach Tom Thibodeau earlier this month. Despite multiple rumors surrounding big-name candidates, a recent report suggests that a dark horse could be entering the race. Advertisement According to James Edwards III of The Athletic, the Knicks have 'tossed around' the idea of speaking with former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego. 'Borrego, a CAA client, is known around the league for his offensive creativity and analytics-forward approach,' Edwards III wrote. 'Borrego spent last season as an assistant coach on Willie Green's staff in New Orleans and was last a head coach for the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-22. His record in those four seasons doesn't pop off the screen, but Borrego led the struggling franchise to a 43-win season just before he was let go.' This would not be an entirely surprising hire considering, Knicks relationship with CAA clients has been well-documented across president Leon Rose's time with the team. But, it should also be noted that this most recent report also indicates that both former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins and Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown are still considered the favorites at this time. Advertisement The team conducted interviews with these coaches last week and was impressed by both, according to the report. While it might be unlikely to happen, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd could also still be in the picture. 'While a long shot to join New York, Kidd — who is under contract for two more years and the Mavericks, per league sources, have shown no interest to this point in allowing their coach to leave — still hasn't agreed to an extension like other currently-employed head coaches who the Knicks showed interest in during the first stage of their search,' Edwards III wrote. While it is largely anyone's guess as to who the Knicks will ultimately hire, it is evident that the franchise is exploring all possible options. Related: Knicks fans are confused by Josh Hart's reaction to Tyrese Haliburton's injury Related: Knicks fan Ben Stiller sends Tyrese Haliburton message after injury, Pacers' NBA Finals loss
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks rumors: Intriguing Mike Brown scenario ‘intensifies'
The post Knicks rumors: Intriguing Mike Brown scenario 'intensifies' appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Knicks' search for a new head coach has not gone according to plan, but they are now seemingly closing in on adding not just one former NBA head coach but two. Advertisement After swinging and missing on luring a current head coach to New York — the Knicks were denied chances to interview the likes of Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, and Chris Finch — they have reportedly begun to settle in on Mike Brown, most recently the head coach of the Sacramento Kings, as well as New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego as part of the staff. 'The Knicks' interest in hiring Mike Brown as their new coach has indeed intensified, league sources say,' according to NBA insider Marc Stein. 'One scenario that has emerged: New York installing James Borrego as top assistant if [Brown] is the ultimate choice.' Hiring Borrego would seemingly indicate that the Knicks want some insurance of a former head coach on staff and potentially able to step up if Brown does not work out in New York. But it could also just be a smart move if Brown and Borrego can effectively work together while utilizing their respective experiences. Advertisement If hired, this would be the fifth NBA head coaching job for Brown. In 2005, he was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming LeBron James' second NBA head coach in the process. After five years, one of which resulted in an NBA Finals appearance, Brown went 272-138 before being fired by Cleveland. A year later, he became the head coach of Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. He coached just 71 games in L.A.; the Lakers, who had gone 41-25 under Brown in 2011-12, fired him after starting the 2012-13 season 1-4. Brown then returned to the Cavaliers, but he lasted just a single season back in Cleveland, going 33-49 during the 2013-14 season. Following a successful and much lauded stint as an assistant on Steve Kerr's Golden State Warriors staff, Brown earned another chance at being a head coach when he was hired by the Sacramento Kings in 2022. In his first season in Sacramento, Brown led the Kings to a 48-34 record and the first playoff appearance in 17 years, ending the longest NBA postseason drought of all time. For his work, Brown earned the second NBA Coach of the Year Award of his career (the first coming in 2009). The Kings lost in Game 7 of the first round to Kerr and the Warriors that year and lost in the Play-In the following season after going 46-36. This past season, the Kings decided to fire Brown amid a 13-18 start. Advertisement Borrego first became a head coach on an interim basis in 2015 when he took over the Orlando Magic following the dismissal of Jacques Vaughn. He earned his first head coaching job in earnest in 2018 with the Charlotte Hornets, with whom he went 148-183. His final season, 2021-22, was his most successful, with the team winning 43 games and reaching the Play-In. Related: Bulls news: Derrick Rose breaks silence on Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau Related: Knicks steal key 76ers big man with $12 million free agency contract
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks granted permission to interview ex-Hornets head coach
The post Knicks granted permission to interview ex-Hornets head coach appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Knicks are still searching for a head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau shortly after the playoff exit. After failing to land an interview with several other head coaches in the league, it appears the franchise is taking a look at a former head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. Advertisement Reports indicate that James Borrego, who served as the Hornets' head coach for four seasons, is being interviewed by the Knicks for the vacant job, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Borrego has been working as an assistant for the New Orleans Pelicans since the 2023 season. 'The New York Knicks are planning to interview New Orleans Pelicans associate coach James Borrego for their open head coaching job, sources tell ESPN. Borrego joins Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, and Micah Nori as known formal interviews for the Knicks.' Charlotte made two play-in tournament appearances with Borrego as head coach. During his four seasons with the club, the Hornets owned a 138-163 record. Ultimately, it didn't work out, and he made his way to New Orleans to work as an assistant coach. After two seasons with the Pelicans, it appears he's a head coaching candidate once again. He is now the fourth known coaching candidate the Knicks are interviewing. It's unclear exactly when the front office will make a final decision, but it should be relatively soon. Especially with the NBA Draft kicking off on Wednesday, and free agency is set to begin on June 30. New York will likely want to have its head coach in place by then. Advertisement Until that decision is made, New York will have to begin the draft without a head coach in place. The Knicks do not have a pick in the first round and won't be on the clock until pick No. 50 in round two. That's assuming the front office doesn't make any trades for more picks in this year's draft. Related: Sources: Another Knicks 2025 NBA Draft target emerges Related: Sources: 2 Knicks draft targets to keep an eye on
