Pelicans weighing coaching decision with James Borrego

The Pelicans have a decision to make and it starts on the sideline.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the biggest question in New Orleans this offseason is whether James Borrego has done enough to remove the interim tag.

The opportunity has been there. Borrego took over after a slow start and has had months to make his case. And by most measures, he has.

Since the All-Star break, the Pelicans have hovered around the top half of the league in both offensive rating and net rating. That’s not nothing.

The lineup of Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey and Zion Williamson has been especially effective, outscoring opponents at a strong clip.

That’s the kind of progress Joe Dumars was looking for.

When Dumars made the change earlier in the season, the message was simple. Compete every night. Play hard. Borrego has checked those boxes.

Now comes the decision. The Pelicans won’t have a lottery pick to add to the roster, but much of the group is already under contract moving forward.

So continuity could matter. Whether that includes Borrego? That’s the call.