Report: Knicks Could Interview James Borrego

According to NBA insider James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, the New York Knicks could interview James Borrego.

Borrego is a CAA client. He spent the 2024-25 NBA season as an assistant coach on Willie Green’s staff on the New Orleans Pelicans. 

The Knicks have already interviewed Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown. 

“Jenkins and Brown appear to be the front-runners as of now,” Edwards III wrote. “However, New York has tossed around the idea of speaking with James Borrego for its vacancy, per league sources. Borrego, a CAA client, is known around the league for his offensive creativity and analytics-forward approach.

“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. Charlotte has won 40-plus games during the regular season just four times since 2005, which includes Borrego’s final year in charge.”

Borrego has coached the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets, compiling a record of 148-183. 

The Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau despite making the conference finals this year for the first time since 2000. 

New York lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games. 

Thibodeau was hired by the Knicks in 2020. He went 226-174 in the regular season and 24-23 in the postseason and won the 2021 Coach of the Year Award. 

The Knicks have been denied permission to speak with Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder, Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan. 

Udoka and Donovan recently signed extensions.