Kosport Magazine’s Take:
After an intense week of pursuing UConn’s head coach Dan Hurley, the Lakers are now back to the drawing board in their search for a new leader. Despite heavily courting Hurley, he has decided to remain in the collegiate ranks, leaving the Lakers with just over two weeks until the NBA Draft to find a suitable coach.
While Hurley was their top choice, the Lakers have not given up hope and are now focusing on other potential candidates. This includes former player and current Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego, who has already interviewed with the team, and current Sixers player JJ Redick. Redick has no prior head coaching experience, but his sharp basketball mind and leadership skills make him a top contender for the job.
The Lakers also considered other names such as Celtics’ assistant coach Sam Cassell, Nuggets’ assistant coach David Adelman, Timberwolves’ assistant coach Micah Nori, and Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn before their pursuit of Hurley began.
One of the main reasons for Hurley’s appeal was the potential to develop Bronny James, who is favored to be drafted by the Lakers in the second round. However, with that option no longer available, the team must focus on finding a coach who prioritizes player development.
Despite offering Hurley a generous six-year, $70 million deal, he ultimately turned it down, causing the Lakers to regroup and reevaluate their options. With a new season fast approaching, the Lakers will need to find a strong and capable leader to guide their team to success. Stay tuned to Kosport Magazine for updates on the Lakers’ coaching situation.
