Shock candidate emerges for Knicks head coaching job

The New York Knicks' search for Tom Thibodeau's replacement is well underway. After a calamitous stretch that saw the Knicks get rejected in their requests to speak with multiple under-contract coaches, the front office appears to be back on track.

The franchise reportedly met with Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown during the week commencing June 16. While Jason Kidd remains a potential sleeper in the Knicks coaching search, it appears a new candidate has emerged. 

According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, the Knicks have begun discussing hiring James Borrego. The former Charlotte Hornets head coach spent this past season as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans.

“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.”

Borrego would be a bold choice to replace Thibodeau. In many ways, he's the "anti-Thibs." New York would pivot away from a defense-first mindset and embrace a modernized offense as its calling card. It would look toward Borrego to unlock the undoubted potential within the roster.

Still, if the Knicks did opt to hire Borrego, they would need to find a defensive-minded assistant coach. That's the only way they could generate the balance needed to be a contending team. We saw the Los Angeles Lakers do something similar last season after hiring JJ Redick.

Borrego may be a shock candidate, but he's earned his chance at another head coaching gig. He did an admirable job with a horrendous Hornets team and there's no telling how far he could take New York. The only major stumbling block will likely be questions surrounding his ability to handle the pressure-cooker environment that comes with the Knicks.

Still, after a rough start to their coaching search, the Knicks finally appear to be moving in the right direction. Borrego may or may not get the job, but at least the front office is knocking on the right doors now.