Like Mike Krzyzewski twenty years ago, Dan Hurley refused the advances of the Lakers, despite a contract of 70 million dollars over six years placed on the table by Jeanie Buss, the owner, and Rob Pelinka, the GM.
On the side of the “insiders”, the stories clash. For ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Dan Hurley was the Lakers' priority from the start, even if the discussions were secret. For Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Connecticut coach was only a late option and the offer from Los Angeles a desperate “Hail Mary”.
“Shams”, who mainly takes his sources from agents, assures that JJ Redick remains Los Angeles’ priority when “Woj”, rather informed by the managers, explains that the former shooter has spoken little to the Lakers…
Currently, it is James Borrego who seems to hold the rope since he has already met Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka several times. But nothing is done and the current assistant to Willie Green at the Pelicans is also in the running for the other “head coach” position available in the NBA, namely that of the Cavaliers.
A complicated profile to find
The only certainty about this quest for Darvin Ham's replacement, which Los Angeles would like to find before the Draft on June 26, is that there is none in California.
Whether Dan Hurley was the hidden early option or a late alternative doesn't change the fact that the Lakers don't seem convinced by the other available picks. Will James Borrego, renowned for his qualities as an assistant, make a better “head coach” than Darvin Ham, when he was not respected by LaMelo Ball and company at the Hornets? Can JJ Redick, so close to LeBron James, lead the team as a whole?
It must be added to this that the position of “head coach” of the Lakers is complicated, because it is particularly exposed and requires managing sometimes contradictory forces. It's about satisfying the stars (LeBron James, Anthony Davis, etc.) in the short term, while management must also think in the longer term, by developing young people and preparing for the post-LeBron era. Difficult in these conditions to find the profile that will satisfy everyone.
Does it exist elsewhere? According to Marc Stein, the indecision is so great in Los Angeles that a new surprise candidate could appear. Some think that Jay Wrightthe former coach of Villanova in the NCAA, could thus be an option, while others mention the name of Monty Williams, if he were to be released by the Pistons. To be continued.
