Lakers Rumors: James Borrego's In-Person HC Interviews Scheduled amid JJ Redick Buzz

One of the key candidates for the Los Angeles Lakers' vacant head coaching position will meet with the team in person on Wednesday.

Per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego is scheduled to meet with the Lakers.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on Wednesday's episode of NBA Today that Borrego is considered a "serious" candidate for the job, and this meeting with the Lakers is more "in-depth" than their previous interview earlier in the month.

Borrego's interview comes after the Lakers met with JJ Redick for "an extended period of time," per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell is the only other high-profile candidate known to have had a meeting with the Lakers at this point.

There's increasing buzz that Redick will ultimately be the choice for Los Angeles. Chris Haynes of TNT Sports and B/R said on Wednesday's episode of The Dan Patrick Show that Redick is doing background work and calling assistants to potentially join his staff.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Monday that Redick has already been thinking about a staff, with Cassell, Borrego and Dallas Mavericks assistant Jared Dudley cited as candidates to be assistants for the Lakers.

Even though LeBron James is reportedly not involved in the Lakers' search, Woike noted last week that James and Anthony Davis "eventually will need to sign off on the coaching hire."

This isn't an uncommon practice in the NBA to have star players at least give their blessing about a coach. Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly vouched for Adrian Griffin last offseason before he was hired by the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Lakers will be hoping things go better with whomever they choose than they did for Griffin in Milwaukee.

Borrego spent this season as an assistant in New Orleans after taking the 2022-23 season off. The 46-year-old went 138-163 in four seasons as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to '22.

Los Angeles fired Darvin Ham on May 3 after a first-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets. He went 90-74 in two seasons with the club, including an appearance in the 2023 Western Conference Finals.