The Los Angeles Lakers are anxiously awaiting Dan Hurley’s decision on whether he will accept their head coaching offer, which is reportedly the largest in franchise history. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed on “Get Up” that the Lakers are on edge, having put all their cards on the table for Hurley.
“The Lakers are on edge about this because they’ve thrown Dan Hurley the bouquet, so to speak. They’ve given him presumably the largest coaching contract offer in the history of the franchise, they brought him out to give him their vision and he’s been home for several days with no offer.”
“Meanwhile, other candidates that they are interested in are moving on elsewhere… Their situation is that they have so prioritized Dan Hurley that they have left potential candidates to go off the board elsewhere.”
“It took them a while to get Dan Hurley interested enough to seriously engage with them, they got that engagement and they got to hope they were able to close it.” (1:00)
Hurley, who has led the UConn Huskies to back-to-back national championships, is torn between the Lakers’ $100 million lucrative offer and remaining at UConn.
The 51-year-old coach met with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss, who pitched him on not only the immediate opportunity to compete for NBA championships with LeBron James and Anthony Davis but also a compelling long-term vision for the franchise.
Despite his lack of NBA head-coaching experience, Hurley’s impressive collegiate record and coaching acumen have made him a coveted candidate. His decision is expected to come soon, and the Lakers are holding their breath, hoping their substantial offer will sway him.
The Lakers’ pursuit of Hurley has had a ripple effect on other coaching candidates. James Borrego, who met with Lakers officials twice, now appears to be a leading candidate for the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ vacancy. Former NBA guard JJ Redick was initially seen as a strong contender for the Lakers’ job, but Hurley’s emergence as the top choice has left Redick and others in a holding pattern.
Hurley expressed his admiration for the Lakers’ pitch, describing his meeting with Pelinka and Buss as “extremely impressive.’ The Lakers are hoping that Hurley’s proven track record of building winning programs at the collegiate level can translate to NBA success. The pressure is on, as the franchise looks to stabilize its coaching situation and set a foundation for future success.
The Lakers have not had a coach last more than three years since Phil Jackson’s retirement, and they are banking on Hurley to provide long-term stability and leadership. As the basketball world awaits Hurley’s decision, the stakes couldn’t be higher for a Lakers organization that has made a bold and unprecedented move in its quest for sustained success.
Did The Lakers Make A Mistake By Putting Their Hopes On Two Candidates?
The Los Angeles Lakers coaching search has zeroed in on two primary candidates: Dan Hurley and JJ Redick. This approach, highlighted by contrasting reports from prominent NBA insiders Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski, suggests a potential misstep by the franchise.
Shams initially reported that Redick was the frontrunner for the position, a surprising choice given his lack of coaching experience. Redick, a respected basketball mind, has transitioned smoothly into media and analysis but has yet to prove himself in a coaching role at any level.
While his knowledge of the game is undeniable, the NBA head coaching position is a significant leap, especially for someone without prior coaching experience.
A day later, Wojnarowski reported that the Lakers had made a massive offer to Dan Hurley, the UConn Huskies’ head coach, further complicating the narrative. Hurley, despite his collegiate success, also lacks NBA coaching experience, which poses its own set of risks.
Although his track record in college basketball is impressive, transitioning to the NBA is a different challenge altogether, with numerous college coaches struggling to adapt to the professional level.
Focusing on just these two candidates might leave the Lakers vulnerable. If Hurley decides to stay at UConn, and Redick, facing the immense pressure of stepping into such a high-profile role without experience, declines the offer, the Lakers could find themselves in a precarious position. They would have missed out on other potential candidates and be left scrambling for a suitable alternative.
The Lakers’ situation underscores the risks of putting all their hopes on two relatively unproven candidates. While both Hurley and Redick bring intriguing qualities, neither offers the certainty of success that the franchise desperately needs.
The Lakers’ gamble on these two candidates, without a broader safety net of options, might indeed backfire, leaving them unprepared and potentially facing a significant setback in their quest for stability and success.
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