After a hosting series of meetings with other candidates, the Charlotte Hornets and Spurs assistant coach James Borrego are closing in an agreement for Borrego to become the new head coach, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Spurs assistant James Borrego is finalizing a deal to become the next head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 8, 2018
Borrego spent several years as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich. Borrego has received interest from multiple teams, during this process.
According to Wojnarowski, Borrego made a memorable impression on new Hornets general manager, Mitch Kupchak.
Borrego made a strong impression in his interview with Mitch Kupchak, the Hornets’ new president of basketball operations and general manager. Kupchak became more intrigued once he started to canvass NBA executives, coaches, and players who have worked with Borrego, sources told ESPN.
Borrego interviewed for openings with the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns this spring, and he was set to interview with the Milwaukee Bucks until Charlotte’s offer, league sources said.
The 41-year-old coach spent seven seasons with the Spurs, before being hired by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2010.
In 2012, Borrego landed a job with the Orlando Magic as an assistant, where he was named as an interim head coach during the 2014-15 season. His last three seasons have been spent with San Antonio.
