The Pelicans finally made the move everyone around the league figured was coming. Willie Green is out.
NBA insider Chris Haynes was first to report the firing, and Marc J. Spears of ESPN added that James Borrego will take over as the interim coach.
The confirmed the moves.
New Orleans has dropped four straight and owns the worst record in the West at 2-10.
The internal temperature around Green’s job status rose earlier this week, with multiple outlets reporting “serious” conversations inside the organization about whether he could survive the start.
Team owner Gayle Benson told NOLA.com that any decision would rest with newly hired executive VP of basketball operations Joe Dumars, not with her.
And Dumars made it.
Green opened his tenure with steady progress — 36 wins, then 42, then 49 during the 2023-24 season, along with two playoff trips. But last year’s avalanche of injuries triggered a 21-61 collapse, and this fall hasn’t offered any encouragement.
Even with Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones available at points, the Pelicans couldn’t find traction.
Their net rating in minutes with those players together had been among the worst of any trio in the league.
Borrego stepping in isn’t a surprise. Marc Stein reported earlier this month that the Pelicans kept him as their lead assistant specifically because a coaching change felt possible.
New Orleans even denied a request from the Knicks to interview Borrego for a top assistant spot on Mike Brown’s staff.
Borrego has been here before. He served as Orlando’s interim coach in 2014-15 and later guided the Hornets for four seasons, compiling a 148-183 record.
Now he inherits a roster that has talent on paper, but hasn’t played like it in months.
Plenty more eyes will be on Dumars, too. The franchise just made its first major move under his watch, and there’s pressure to make sure it isn’t the last.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
