Lakers Rumors: Pelicans' James Borrego Targeted to Replace HC Ham amid JJ Redick Buzz

New Orleans Pelicans associate coach James Borrego is reportedly viewed as a "name to watch" in the Los Angeles Lakers' coaching search.

"Borrego had a good run as head coach in Charlotte. Went from 23 to 33 to 43 wins there. Obviously was with Gregg Popovich for a long time in San Antonio. He'll be a candidate in this process," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said Sunday on SportsCenter (2:28 mark).

Borrego, 46, has a 148-183 overall head coaching record with the Hornets and Orlando Magic. He joined Willie Green's coaching staff before the 2023-24 season and oversaw a revamping of the Pelicans' offense around Zion Williamson.

New Orleans finished 11th in offensive efficiency this season, a nine-spot improvement over 2022-23.

The Lakers are expected to begin ramping up their coaching search this week, according to Wojnarowski. They've already lost out on two top potential targets after Boston Celtics assistant Charles Lee (Hornets) and former Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer (Phoenix Suns) took other jobs.

Budenholzer, another Popovich disciple who won the 2021 title in Milwaukee, was considered an early favorite for the Lakers job. The Lakers would also likely pursue Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue if he becomes available, but that's considered unlikely.

The biggest wild card in the mix is former NBA guard and current ESPN analyst JJ Redick, who has expressed an interest in moving to the bench. Redick interviewed for the Hornets job before being passed over for Lee and has a direct connection to LeBron James via their Mind the Game podcast.

While Redick's a rising star in the media and podcast world, he said he misses the competitiveness of being in the locker room after a win.

"What I really miss is the juice. I miss the action, I miss the competition, I miss leadership, I miss being on a team," Redick said on the Road Trippin' podcast. "In a locker room, physically in a locker room after winning a road game. You miss that stuff. There's a high that you get as an athlete that goes beyond passing and shooting and dribbling and taking a charge or dunking a basketball. Those are all these little moments of actual gameplay. It's the other moments that I feel we all miss as ex-athletes. And the part about coaching in general is the things that I miss and the things that I love doing that involves coaching. That all is part of coaching."

Redick would be a surprising choice for the Lakers, if only because they have such a small window for championship competition. James turns 40 in December and doesn't really have time to grow alongside a coaching neophyte, no matter their strong relationship.

Borrego is an accomplished head coach and assistant who could be a more palatable name for the Lakers, even if he doesn't carry the name cache.