The Charlotte Hornets have decided to pick up the club option for coach James Borrego for the 2021-22 campaign according to multiple sources.
In three seasons with the Hornets’ franchise, Borrego has a 95-124 record over his first 215 games. This season, the team finished six games below .500, with an overall record of 33-39.
The Hornets made it to the play-in tournament, but that was short lived with a blow-out loss to the Indiana Pacers, 144-117. Multiple players were disappointed with their efforts in the last game.
Charlotte was in fourth place to start the month of April, but a rush of injuries and COVID related issues caused the team to nose dive. They were without key players such as Gordon Hayward, LeMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Devonte Graham and Malik Monk. They lost their last six games of the season.
Coach Borrego was able to make NBA history by becoming the first Latino full-time coach for the Hornets in 2018. He had to earn his way to the top seat by making several stops along the way.
Borrego, 43, was an assistant coach with Gregg Popovich and the Spurs on two championship teams, in 2005 and 2007. He also worked with the New Orleans Hornets (Pelicans) and the Orlando Magic.
Borrego received a vote of confidence from Hornets General Manager Mitch Kupchak, stating that he believes “the coach did a great job.” Will update when more information becomes available.
