Pelicans Must Look Beyond Borrego's Interim Success

New Orleans needs to cast a wide net in search of a new head coach after James Borrego's disappointing season.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:25am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting a basketball game or match, with overlapping shapes and planes that deconstruct the action on the court.A cubist interpretation of the Pelicans' coaching search captures the team's need for a new strategic vision.New Orleans Today

The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a precarious position as the NBA head coaching market thins out before the regular season ends. While James Borrego provided a steady hand after replacing Willie Green, his audition for the full-time role has been far from a slam dunk. The Pelicans' recent surge was more a product of timing than a systemic breakthrough, and the team's overall results over the past two seasons suggest the need for a shakeup in the coaching staff.

Why it matters

The Pelicans cannot let a few weeks of feel-good basketball overwrite five months of a damning statistical record. Despite Borrego's reputation as an offensive specialist, the numbers show a unit struggling for consistency, with fluctuating scoring, second-chance points, and three-point shooting. The Pelicans need a respected offensive mind capable of developing young talent and steadying the ship, and Borrego's interim performance has not shown he is the right fit for the full-time job.

The details

The Pelicans have beaten only three teams in line to finish in a top-six spot since Thanksgiving, and their recent eight-game losing streak, punctuated by a home loss to the Orlando Magic, has erased any momentum they had built up. The ineffectiveness against top teams, paired with the stats, points the front office in an obvious direction: the need for a new head coach.

  • The Pelicans' recent surge came after the All-Star break, suggesting the success was more a product of timing than a systemic breakthrough.
  • The Pelicans lost their home finale to the Utah Jazz, capping off a sour end to the season.

The players

Zion Williamson

The star player of the New Orleans Pelicans.

James Borrego

The interim head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, who is auditioning for the full-time role.

Willie Green

The previous head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, who was replaced by James Borrego.

Joe Dumars

The Executive Vice President of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Troy Weaver

The General Manager of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Pelicans front office must conduct a thorough head coaching search rather than simply handing Borrego the job by default.

The takeaway

The Pelicans need to look beyond Borrego's recent interim success and find a head coach who can provide a sustainable offensive identity, develop young talent, and steady the ship for the long term. The team's disappointing statistical performance over the past two seasons suggests the need for a shakeup in the coaching staff.