Statements
Lakers Lose Dan Hurley: A Misstep for the Franchise
LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers lost Dan Hurley on Monday.
The Lakers seem to have lost the thread, and Hurley turning down the Lakers' six-year, $70 million offer is not a shock. Hurley has a chance to chase a third straight NCAA championship, a much more appealing prospect than leading a struggling NBA team. The Lakers' job may have been a poisoned chalice, and there was no guarantee that a hard-charging, no-NBA-experience hire like Hurley would fit well with a player of LeBron James’ caliber. LeBron has exacting standards and a particular view of how teams should operate. He prefers to be a partner with a head coach rather than a subordinate.
A String of Missteps
The Lakers do not seem to know what they’re doing or whom they’d like to become. Embarrassing themselves by chasing a gamble like Hurley makes the Lakers look small and gives off an aura of amateurism. One has to question why they would put themselves out there for a college coach who didn't want the job. While Hurley might have been a huge success in Los Angeles, especially given his proven track record and the high regard scouts and front-office personnel have for the tactical level of UConn’s teams, it was always a gamble. Past success in college basketball doesn’t always translate to success in the NBA, as many remain skeptical of college head coaches at the NBA level.
Being turned down publicly is one thing; the Lakers being turned down by a college coach is another. JJ Redick, for example, must feel stung. Redick seemed ready to announce his new head-coaching gig on his podcast, but having to go on national TV and pretend he hadn't been dumped for someone else must have been hard. Similarly, James Borrego was left in a strange limbo, feeling rejected over the past few days. Meanwhile, NBA-experienced candidates watched as the Lakers' failed press with Hurley unfolded.
Tale of Two Candidates
The Lakers' two strongest candidates could not have been more different. Hurley would have been an investment in a longer game, aiming for a post-LeBron reality and potentially turning three first-round picks into the foundation for a youthful team. Redick, on the other hand, would signal a focus on LeBron’s waning years. He would emphasize competing in the short term, potentially trading the same three first-round picks for a star player. These are very different visions, and the Lakers seem to be operating as if hiring an NBA head coach is as casual as scrolling through Netflix. This is not a sound way to run an NBA organization, and there are consequences for such a slipshod approach.
Hurley turning down the Lakers makes it challenging to find a winning candidate, especially since the Lakers cannot afford LeBron deciding to go somewhere else. LeBron has plenty of leverage and may have a firmer say in who gets the gig. It is plausible that LeBron and the new coach might push to trade for another star player. While this is fine as part of a well-thought-out plan, it is not ideal as an unintended consequence of being embarrassed by Hurley's rejection.
Vision Lacking
The Lakers chased a shocker in pursuing Hurley, and the biggest surprise is that the team Hurley passed on has no clear plan. The team does not know its vision for winning in the future, which is critical for any franchise hoping to achieve sustained success. This mishap only adds to the growing concerns about the Lakers' leadership and their strategy moving forward.
Conclusion
The Lakers need to regroup and make a well-informed decision regarding their next head coach. They must define their vision and make strategic moves that align with their long-term goals. Failing to do so may result in more public embarrassments and a prolonged period of mediocrity for one of the NBA's most storied franchises.
Quotes
"I can do better."