The New Orleans Pelicans are entering a pivotal offseason, and the search for a permanent head coach is officially underway. In a season review on Tuesday, Basketball Operations Chief Joe Dumars confirmed that interim coach James Borrego is a legitimate candidate to retain the job.

"Yes, James Borrego is a candidate," Dumars stated. "Definitely, James is a candidate for this job permanently going forward."

Borrego took the reins after Willie Green was fired following a dismal 2-10 start to the 2025-26 campaign. He guided the team to a 24-46 record the rest of the way, finishing with an overall mark of 26-56. Despite the challenging circumstances, Dumars praised Borrego's steadying influence.

"What James did, I thought really well this year, was he never let the building get completely collapsed," Dumars said. "He always tried to keep the team up and positive. And that’s exactly what you want to see."

Dumars emphasized that the search is just beginning and that he will also look outside the organization. He did not provide a specific timeline, stating simply, "my timeline is to get it right."

This decision carries significant weight for a franchise hungry for success. Since the NBA's return to New Orleans in 2002, the Pelicans have only won two playoff series and have frequently missed the postseason, including the last two years.

Addressing potential fan concerns about complacency, Dumars pushed back on the idea that a losing season automatically disqualifies a coach. "I think it’s the person and I think it’s how people react to the person inside the building," he said.

As the Pelicans look to build a new identity, the choice of head coach will be the first major step in shaping their future. Whether it's Borrego or an external candidate, the focus is on finding the right leader to elevate the team from the bottom of the standings.