Pistons will ‘strongly consider’ James Borrego as Monty Williams replacement

James Borrego has become an early candidate for the Pistons head coaching job.

Detroit will “strongly consider” Borrego, according to Yahoo Sports, after shockingly firing Monty Williams with more than $65 million remaining on his record six-year, $78.5 million contract on Wednesday.

Borrego, who was head coach of the Hornets for four seasons from 2018 to 2022, served as associate head coach of the Pelicans last season.

The Pistons aren’t the first team this offseason to target Borrego.

Earlier this month, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Borrego was emerging as the favorite to replace JB Bickerstaff as head coach of the Cavaliers.

“(James Borrego) is gaining momentum in Cleveland,” Windhorst said on “Get Up” on June 10. “He is expected to interview there early this week as a top developmental prospect with the Cavs.”

Multiple reports have also linked Borrego to the Lakers, who are still in the midst of a rocky coaching search after UConn’s Dan Hurley decided to stay in the Big East.

Borrego owns a coaching record of 148-183 following his time with the Hornets and a brief stint as interim head coach of the Magic in 2014-15.

Whoever takes the top job in Detroit will be tasked with turning around one of the NBA’s darkest rosters.

The Pistons finished their NBA-worst record 14-68 and set a single-season record by losing 28 consecutive games.

In late May, the franchise entered a new era by hiring Trajan Langdon, former general manager of the Pelicans, where he worked with Borrego, as the team’s president of basketball operations.

A week after the hire, the Pistons fired general manager Troy Weaver, who had been with the team since 2020.

The Pistons have only made the playoffs twice in the last 15 seasons, falling short in each of the last five.