Mar 24, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green reacts to a play against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

New Report On Knicks Seeking Top Assistant After Coaching Hire

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Grant Mona | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 2:51 PM ET

The New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans are both undergoing significant changes at various levels of their franchise hierarchy. On the New York side, the firing of Tom Thibodeau sent shockwaves across the league, signaling a massive shift in the Knicks' direction with their contending roster.

On the New Orleans side, the hiring of Joe Dumars to lead the franchise's efforts in fielding a competitive team was polarizing, especially after a heavily critiqued 2025 draft class from the Pelicans.

NBA source tells me, “Joe Dumars didn’t come back to play it safe, he’s gonna take some big swings in New Orleans.”

4 substantial moves so far…2 big swings IMO

Poole ✅
Fears
Queen ✅
Looney

Call me crazy but I think one more significant move for Pelicans is coming
‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/9MbAqpbPE9
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) July 1, 2025

With the Knicks coaching staff still to be finalized, a top Pelicans assistant has been coveted by New York and the Denver Nuggets, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

"League sources tell [Jake Fischer] and me, as covered in the story below, 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," Stein said.

League sources tell @JakeLFischer and me, as covered in the story below, 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. https://t.co/6PGanvyvOW
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 2, 2025

He continued to indicate that it is not just the Knicks, but the Nuggets, who are interested in James Borrego.

"League sources say Denver recently sought permission to interview James Borrego for the top spot on David Adelman’s bench. That request was denied since such a move was deemed 'lateral.' The Pelicans naturally granted New York permission to interview Borrego for its HC vacancy," he wrote.

League sources say Denver recently sought permission to interview James Borrego for the top spot on David Adelman’s bench. That request was denied since such a move was deemed “lateral.”

The Pelicans naturally granted New York permission to interview Borrego for its HC vacancy. https://t.co/WPjuSSxQHM
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 2, 2025

Borrego is a two-time NBA champion in 2005 and 2007 as an assistant coach under Greg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, and served as the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022.

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This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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