Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego expected to stay in New Orleans after all

The New Orleans Pelicans' staffing departures appear to be at an end in this cycle.

After weeks of talk about Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego potentially leaving for a handful of head coach openings, he is expected to stick in New Orleans after pulling his name out of the search for the Detroit Pistons head coach opening, according to a report from Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report.

Borrego, who joined Willie Green's staff ahead of the 2023-'24 season, was a potential candidate to lead a Detroit team that features former Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon as their top executive and that hired away longtime Pelicans assistant to their new staff. Detroit fired Monty Williams after one season.

Another potential opening with the Cavaliers has been filled by Kenny Atkinson.

Retaining Borrego, who previously spent 5 years as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, is certainly a positive result for a Pelicans squad hoping to build on its upward trajectory after a 49-win season but another first-round playoff departure that was again marred by injuries to star players. The team drafted a pair of players this week in Baylor center Yves Missi and Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves.

New Orleans has decisions to make this offseason as it pertains to a potential new contract or trade of Brandon Ingram, who is entering the final year of his deal and eligible for a max extension.