It must feel surreal to sit on the opposite bench from a team you once idolized, maybe even had posters of on your bedroom wall, and came close to joining, forging connections with the organization and its owners. Then, out of nowhere, the ‘LeGM’ activates, snatching the opportunity away and handing it to another promising candidate. If any of that hits home, you get James Borrego, now the interim coach for the 15th-seeded Pelicans. 

Ahead of the Lakers-Pelicans matchup, Borrego opened up about the opportunity he had last summer to join the Lakers as head coach before JJ Redick landed the role. “I grew up a Laker fan, number one, so to come here and interview for the job was like so surreal and a dream, you know,” Borrego said. “My interaction with Rob [Pelinka] was great, I didn’t know, but just to sit there and talk basketball life with him, find common ground together, was great. We sat, I think at least two days together, spent some time together. Jeanie as well. She was phenomenal.”

Last summer, Borrego was in the mix for the Lakers’ head coaching job, competing with Redick for the top spot. At the time, many viewed him as a rising name in the league, thanks to his coaching journey. Borrego had previously taken the Hornets from 23 wins to 43 over three seasons and spent years learning under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio. Ahead of the 2023-24 season, he joined Willie Green’s staff with the Pelicans, helping reshape their offense around Zion Williamson.

And that’s why he went in for the interview, though he didn’t land the job, but he holds no regrets. “I enjoyed learning about them, getting to know both of them on a personal level. I was grateful for that opportunity, just to be here, to be in the process—in any interview process I’ve been a part of,” Borrego said.

(This is a developing story…)