NEW ORLEANS The New Orleans Pelicans are preparing for a transformative offseason. After a season defined by transition and evaluation, internal signals suggest the franchise is ready to move past the interim era and install a new permanent leader on the sidelines.
Despite taking over the reins following the dismissal of Willie Green, interim head coach James Borrego is unlikely to have his interim tag removed, according to sources familiar with the situation. While Borrego was granted a “live audition” to implement his signature up-tempo, offensive-minded system, the Pelicans appear headed toward a fresh start with a new face at the helm for the 2026-27 campaign.
The Borrego Experiment: Navigating the Snowball Effect
James Borrego brought a seasoned resume to the table as the former head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, where he gained recognition for implementing high-assist, pace-and-space offensive schemes. Taking over the Pelicans mid-season was no small feat, as he inherited a dismal 2–10 start and has since been forced to navigate a roster ravaged by a “snowball effect” of injuries. However, despite being respected for his tactical mind and the accountability he has instilled in the locker room, I’m told that the internal verdict suggests it is unlikely he will have the interim tag removed. Instead, the front office appears to be leaning toward making an external hire to lead the franchise forward next season.
Throughout this turbulent stretch, Borrego has maintained a focus on the team’s mental and physical toughness, often drawing parallels between the hardwood and the gridiron. In a city where the Saints are a religion, Borrego’s “Gridiron DNA” philosophy has resonated within the locker room. He has publicly categorized his defensive ace, Herb Jones, as a cerebral “Brian Urlacher” type middle linebacker and veteran DeAndre Jordan as a space-eating nose tackle responsible for “owning the line of scrimmage.”
The Anatomy of a Comeback: Dejounte Murray’s Return
A central narrative of Borrego’s tenure has been the long-awaited return of Dejounte Murray. After a fractured hand and a subsequent Achilles rupture sidelined him for nearly 16 months, Murray finally stepped back onto the court this March. Borrego has been vocal about the emotional weight of this comeback, comparing Murray’s resilience to that of Spurs legend Tony Parker.
“He went through so much last year,” Borrego told me. “He breaks his hand and it feels like the snowball started there for the season… To his credit, he has put that behind him, he’s been through the battles, he’s got the scars and he’s still fighting through that.”
The Pelicans (currently 25–51) have faced immense pressure this season, and while Borrego has managed to keep the locker room focused, the win-loss column reflects the difficulty of the transition he inherited. While individual performances have surged, the record remains a hurdle for his candidacy as a permanent solution.
The Search: Retreads and Front Office Ties
League sources are telling me that while the Pelicans have not yet compiled a formal list of candidates, the industry is already making educated guesses on the profile of the next coach. The search is expected to prioritize “retread” candidates’ coaches with prior NBA head coaching experience who share professional DNA with the Pelicans’ front office leadership. Specifically, I’m hearing that ties to Troy Weaver and Joe Dumars are expected to be the primary compass for this search.
Among the candidates currently on the radar, league sources are telling me that former Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is a name frequently mentioned in league circles. An NBA champion as both a player and an assistant, Ham was a finalist for the same Lakers opening Borrego pursued, and his reputation for toughness aligns well with the culture shift the Pelicans desire.
Additionally, former UConn national champion Kevin Ollie has been mentioned due to his history with Troy Weaver. Before joining the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach and later as interim coach, Ollie was the head coach at UConn from 2012-2018, where he coached future NBA players including Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lamb, Andre Drummond and Shabazz Napier. Ollie played guard in the NBA for 13 seasons with 12 different teams before joining the coaching ranks.
A Deliberate Process
The Pelicans’ front office has been notably patient. By allowing Borrego to finish the season, the team avoided a knee-jerk reaction, giving Dumars the space to evaluate the roster’s needs thoroughly.
While the team has yet to begin active interviews, the “wish list” for a franchise looking to maximize its window often includes high-profile tacticians. Names like Mike Budenholzer (2021 Champion), Frank Vogel (2020 Champion), and Michael Malone (2023 Champion) represent the level of pedigree the Pelicans could target if they decide to move toward a proven winner.
As the offseason looms, the message from New Orleans is clear: the interim period is closing, and a new vision is about to take shape.
