James Borrego has emerged as an early candidate for the Pistons’ head coaching vacancy.
According to Yahoo Sports, Detroit will “seriously consider” Borrego after surprise firing Monty Williams on Wednesday with more than $65 million remaining on his record-breaking six-year, $78.5 million contract.
Borrego served as the Hornets’ head coach for four seasons from 2018-2022, and was the Pelicans’ associate head coach last season.
The Pistons aren’t the first team to target Borrego this offseason.
Earlier this month, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Borrego has emerged as the leading candidate to replace J.B. Bickerstaff as the Cavaliers’ head coach.
“[James Borrego is] “He’s gaining momentum in Cleveland,” Windhorst said on “Get Up” on June 10. “He’s a developing prospect with the Cavs and will be interviewing there early this week.”
Borrego has also been linked to the Lakers, who are in the midst of a tortuous coaching search after Connecticut coach Dan Hurley decided to remain in the Big East, according to multiple reports.
Borrego has a coaching record of 148-183 following his time with the Hornets and a brief stint as interim head coach of the Magic during the 2014-15 season.
Whoever takes the top spot in Detroit will be tasked with rebuilding one of the NBA’s darkest team lineups.
The Pistons finished the season with an NBA-worst record of 14-68 and set a season record with 28 consecutive losses.
The franchise entered a new era in late May when it hired former Pelicans general manager Trajean Langdon, who worked with Borrego, as the team’s president of basketball operations.
A week after the hire, the Pistons fired general manager Troy Weaver, who had been with the team since 2020.
The Pistons have reached the postseason just twice in the past 15 seasons and have missed out in each of the past five.
