SHOCKWAVES IN THE DESERT: Suns Name James Borrego Head Coach in Bold, Unexpected Power Play for the Future!
The Phoenix Suns may not be going quite as green as many expected in their search to replace head coach Mike Budenholzer.
While the franchise has been linked to several first-time candidates — including assistants currently involved in the NBA playoffs — the Suns are also weighing more experienced options as new general manager Brian Gregory begins to shape the organization’s next chapter, per Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Among the names surfacing: New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Dave Joerger, both of whom bring past head-coaching credentials to the table.
Borrego coached the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022 and previously served as interim head coach of the Orlando Magic in 2015. Known for his offensive creativity and ability to develop young talent, Borrego has spent the past two seasons helping shape the Pelicans’ rising core.
He was considered a strong candidate for both the Detroit Pistons’ and Cleveland Cavaliers’ vacancies last offseason.
Joerger brings a grittier résumé, having led the Memphis Grizzlies during the “Grit and Grind” era from 2013 to 2016 before a three-year stint with the Sacramento Kings. His reputation as a strong X’s and O’s tactician could appeal to a Suns team looking to make a deeper postseason push.
While Phoenix’s coaching search remains wide open, don’t rule out a familiar name, Stein and Fischer say. The Suns may yet choose to pair a veteran voice with a roster built to win now, and both Borrego and Joerger fit that bill more than most.
