Knicks receive permission to interview James Borrego for head coaching job

The New York Knicks have been granted permission from the New Orleans Pelicans to interview assistant coach James Borrego for their head coaching vacancy, per The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III.

Borrego is now the fourth coach to interview with the Knicks for the position, joining Minnesota Timberwolves’ assistant Micah Nori, Taylor Jenkins, and Mike Brown. 

The Knicks have seemingly narrowed down their coaching search after firing Tom Thibodeau on June 3. New York also requested permission to speak with Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls, Chris Finch of the Timberwolves, Quin Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks, and Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets, but were denied by all five teams.

The decision to fire Thibodeau was met with plenty of controversy. Thibodeau largely spearheaded the turnaround in New York. This past season saw the Knicks have their best season this century, and they reached the playoffs in four of their five seasons under Thibodeau. Prior to that, the team had reached the playoffs just once in the seven seasons prior to Thibodeau, and hadn’t advanced past the second round since 2000. 

Borrego was last a head coach with the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-2022. In four seasons, he held a 138-163 record, including a 43-39 record in his final season with the team.

As an assistant, Borrego has also won two championships, in 2005 and 2007 with the San Antonio Spurs. He has also spent time with the Orlando Magic, and New Orleans Hornets.