Report names 1 top candidate for Pistons head coach job
Speed finger painter, Jarred Emerson, unveils the new Detroit Pistons logo on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Campus Martius Park in Detroit. Mandatory Credit: Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Pistons are once again searching for a new head coach, and they are expected to target a candidate who has already interviewed with multiple teams.
Monty Williams was fired by the Pistons on Wednesday only a year into a 6-year, $78.5 million deal he signed last offseason. The decision was reportedly made by ownership, but new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon will now be tasked with finding a replacement.
According to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, James Borrego is one candidate the Pistons will “strongly consider.”
One of the names I’m hearing the Pistons will strongly consider: James Borrego, who’s interviewed with the Lakers and Cavs on their coaching openings, sources tell @YahooSports
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) June 19, 2024
Borrego has also received consideration from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shams Charania of The Athletic said on “The Pat McAfee Show” Wednesday that Borrego is trending toward landing in Cleveland.
"The Pistons wanna have a coach in place before summer league starts..
One candidate that is at the top of their list is James Borrego but I'm told he's gaining traction in Cleveland" ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/uDZBIpPt1U pic.twitter.com/fgUv84MEHB
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 19, 2024
Borrego is currently an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans, but he has NBA head coach experience. The 46-year-old was the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-2022. He also served as interim head coach of the Orlando Magic in 2014-15.
While Borrego’s career record of 148-183 (.447) is rather unimpressive, he is a well-regarded coach from Gregg Popovich’s coaching tree (winning NBA titles as an assistant on the San Antonio Spurs in 2005 and 2007).
There is at least one other team that has expressed interest in Borrego, so he has a good chance to wind up with one of the available head coach jobs.