Statements
LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers lost Dan Hurley on Monday. The Lakers seem to have lost the thread in their pursuit of a new head coach. Hurley turned down the Lakers' six-year, $70 million offer, which is not a shock given his current success and prospects.
Hurley's Decision
Hurley has a chance to chase a third straight NCAA championship, an enticing prospect that overshadowed the Lakers' job offer, which may have been a poisoned chalice. There is no guarantee that a hard-charging, no-NBA-experience hire like Hurley would have fit well with LeBron James, who has exacting standards and a particular view of how teams should operate. LeBron prefers to be a partner with a head coach rather than a subordinate.
Moreover, the Lakers' recent actions suggest they do not seem to know what they are doing or whom they want to become. Their pursuit of Hurley, a gamble that resulted in a public and slow-moving rejection, made the organization look small and amateurish. It begs the question of why they put themselves out there for a college coach who did not want the job.
The Coaching Conundrum
Had Hurley accepted, he might have been a huge success in Los Angeles. He is a proven winner, and scouts and front-office personnel have been impressed with the tactical level of UConn's teams. Maybe he would have made the leap from college basketball to NBA coaching, similar to Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan. However, the past does not always predict the future, and many remain skeptical of college head coaches transitioning to the NBA level.
Hurley's public refusal has broader implications. Being turned down publicly is one thing, but being turned down by a college coach when you're the Lakers is another. JJ Redick, for example, must feel stung with the situation. Redick had given off "I'll-confirm-my-new-head-coaching-gig vibes" on his podcast. Going on national TV and pretending he had not been dumped for someone else must have been difficult. Similarly, James Borrego found himself in a strange limbo-meets-rejection state over the past few days, watching the Lakers' failed press with Hurley.
Redick vs. Hurley: Different Visions
Hurley and Redick represented two vastly different paths for the Lakers. Hurley would have been an investment in a longer game, looking towards a post-LeBron reality. He might have turned three first-round picks into the groundwork for a youthful team. On the other hand, Redick would signal a focus on LeBron's waning years, emphasizing competing in the short term. He might trade three first-round picks for a star player. These are very different visions for the future of the Lakers.
The Lakers seem to be operating as if hiring an NBA head coach is like scrolling through Netflix. This is not a sound way to run an NBA organization. There are consequences for a slipshod approach, and Hurley's decision to turn down the Lakers makes it even harder to find a winning candidate.
LeBron's Influence
The Lakers cannot afford LeBron deciding to go somewhere else, as he wields plenty of leverage. It's plausible that LeBron might have a firmer say in who gets the gig now. LeBron, along with the new coach, might push to trade for another star. While this could be a coherent plan, it is concerning that it would come as an unintended consequence of being embarrassed by Hurley.
Chasing Hurley was a shocker for the Lakers, but the biggest surprise is that the team he turned down appears to have no real plan. They do not seem to know their vision for winning in the future. This lack of direction is problematic for an organization with such a storied past.
Ultimately, Hurley's decision not only reflects his personal ambition but also exposes the Lakers' current disarray. They must now regroup and find a path forward that aligns with their history and expectations, keeping in mind the critical role that LeBron James will play in this transition.
Quotes
"I can do better."