For a while, it seemed like the Cleveland Cavaliers would be the only team left with an opening for head coach, with the Los Angeles Lakers courting UConn head coach Dan Hurley. Well, once the news broke that Hurley would remain in the collegiate ranks, the Cavs were once again the bridesmaid and never the bride, with the pressure now heightened for Cleveland to find their next head coach.
With the Lakers now re-joining the Cavs on the NBA coaching carousel, both teams will compete for the best possible candidate to serve as the next team's head coach.
For both Los Angeles and Cleveland, finding the right candidate isn't only paramount for winning but vital for their respective futures. If the Lakers whiff on their hire, then LeBron James could be playing for a new team in a short time, and the same could happen with Donovan Mitchell if the Cavs also swing and miss.
Which head-coaching candidates will the Lakers and Cavs be fighting over?
Sources have shared that former Charlotte Hornets head coach and current New Orleans Pelicans head coach James Borrego has emerged as a finalist and Cleveland's most likely option at head coach. Borrego's ability to maximize a team's offensive potential and build various schemes around various players has sent ripples across the league, even after a frustrating end to his first head coaching job in Charlotte.
Under his guidance, Charlotte had the sixth-best offensive rating (114.8) in his final season. Once the Hornets fired Borrego, they fell to dead last in offensive rating and haven't left the league's offensive basement since. Moreover, despite a career record of 148-183 (.447), Borrego is a highly regarded product of Gregg Popovich’s coaching tree, winning NBA titles as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005 and 2007. His most recent accomplishment was taking a middling Pelicans team from 22nd in offensive rating to eleventh in just one season, constructing a system that plays to the strengths of the star talent on New Orleans' roster.
Clearly, Borrego's offensive acumen and prior experience running an NBA team from the sidelines have likely become most appealing for the Cavs during their search. With Borrego interviewing in person with Cleveland's front office and ownership this week, there's a chance the Cavs don't let Borrego leave town without agreeing to a contract, making him Cleveland's next head coach.
That's because a league source shared with ClutchPoints that after striking out on Hurley, the Lakers have Borrego in their crosshairs as the next candidate on their list.
While Los Angeles has spoken with numerous coaching candidates, they have interviewed Borrego twice regarding their current opening. Although the Lakers never extended an offer to Borrego, likely due to riding the Hurley pipe dream to an embarrassing end, that can quickly change now that Los Angeles is looking for their second option for their next head coach.
While JJ Reddick seems like the logical next step for the Lakers in their search, with Borrego coming so far throughout the process in Los Angeles, Cleveland might feel the squeeze to solve their head coaching questions sooner rather than later. Sure, Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman said that Cleveland wouldn't overreact to any pressure from opposing teams. But, if Borrego remains the Cavs' No. 1 choice, the Lakers possibly competing with them for Borrego could change that mindset.
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