The Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching search has become a saga of missed opportunities and uncertain future directions. Shams Charania recently spoke on the Pat McAfee Show, highlighting a significant oversight by the Lakers in their pursuit of a new head coach:
“If the Lakers want to go hire James Borrego, they’ve had a month to hire James Borrego. They’ve had this week, after losing out on Dan Hurley, I guess, they’ve had this time to go get James Borrego.”
Shams on The Pat McAfee Show: "If the Lakers want to go hire James Borrego, they've had a month to hire James Borrego. They've had this week, after losing out on Dan Hurley — I guess — they've had this time to go get James Borrego."
McAfee: "I guess?! What was that?!" https://t.co/lr2NAu1dCI pic.twitter.com/aTwZPz5G6s
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 11, 2024
Initially, the Lakers had a pool of candidates, including James Borrego, Kenny Atkinson, and JJ Redick. Reports indicated that Anthony Davis had a preference for Borrego, having worked with him previously, and LeBron James had suggested the Lakers should heed Davis’s preferences, recognizing Davis as the franchise’s future cornerstone.
However, the Lakers’ focus shifted almost exclusively to Dan Hurley, who ultimately declined their massive $70 million offer to stay at UConn and pursue a third straight national title. This left the Lakers scrambling, with Borrego now likely out of reach as well. Brian Windhorst suggested that the Cleveland Cavaliers are closing in on Borrego, with an announcement potentially imminent.
JJ Redick, previously reported by Shams as a frontrunner for the Lakers’ job, has indicated that he will make his decision after the NBA Finals, during which he is currently serving as a broadcaster. This leaves the Lakers in a precarious position, with their coaching search still unresolved and significant decisions looming.
The Lakers are less than a month away from the NBA Draft, a critical time for shaping the team’s future. Additionally, LeBron James has a player option decision due shortly after the draft, adding another layer of urgency and potential volatility to the situation.
The Lakers’ coaching search has been marked by indecision and a potential failure to secure their top choices. If the Cavaliers finalize their deal with Borrego, the Lakers will have missed out on a candidate that both their current and future stars seemingly supported.
With the draft approaching and LeBron’s decision looming, the Lakers must quickly find a clear direction to avoid further instability. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Lakers can regain their footing and make strategic moves to solidify their future.
The Lakers May Have Made A Mistake In Offering Dan Hurley Only $70 Million
The Lakers may have made a significant misstep in offering Dan Hurley only $70 million for a six-year contract, averaging roughly $11.6 million per year. Initial reports suggested that the Lakers could offer Hurley $100 million, but they ultimately extended a lower offer.
Evan Sidery reported that the University of Kentucky offered Hurley an $11 million annual contract to join their team. For the Lakers, the NBA’s most storied franchise, to offer only slightly more at $11.6 million per year raises questions.
There are five coaches in the NBA currently earning above that mark: Steve Kerr at $17.5 million, Gregg Popovich at $16 million, Erik Spoelstra at $15 million, Ty Lue at $14 million, and Monty Williams at $13 million.
It’s understandable for Kerr, Popovich, and Spoelstra to command such salaries given their success and long-standing reputations. Even Ty Lue’s salary is justified by his championship win and the deep pockets of the Clippers‘ owner. However, it’s perplexing that the Lakers, with their vast resources and historical significance, couldn’t exceed what the Detroit Pistons offered Monty Williams.
Hurley, who won two consecutive NCAA titles with UConn, a feat achieved only eight times and the first in 16 years, deserved a more competitive offer. His success in turning around UConn’s basketball program speaks volumes about his coaching prowess.
Yet, the Lakers offered him a contract worth less than what Monty Williams received from Detroit, a team that hasn’t enjoyed nearly the same level of recent success.
This decision reflects poorly on the Lakers’ management. By failing to present a more lucrative and compelling offer, they not only missed out on a top coaching candidate but also signaled a lack of commitment to securing the best talent available.
This misstep could have long-term repercussions as the team searches for stability and success in the highly competitive NBA landscape. The Lakers, once known for their ambition and excellence, now face scrutiny for their apparent inability to close crucial deals.
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