Statements
LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers lost Dan Hurley on Monday. The Lakers seem to have lost the thread altogether. Hurley turned down the Lakers' six-year, $70 million offer, and while this might not be shocking, it certainly leaves a ripple effect.
A Missed Opportunity
Hurley, aiming to chase a third straight NCAA championship, decided to stay in the familiar territory of college basketball. The Lakers' job may have been a poisoned chalice, with no guarantees that a hard-charging, no-NBA-experience hire like Hurley would fit well with LeBron James. LeBron has exacting standards and a particular view of how teams should operate. He prefers to partner with a head coach rather than be a subordinate.
The Lakers appear directionless. They do not seem to know what they're doing or whom they'd like to become. Chasing a gamble like Hurley and being spurned publicly makes the organization look small and amateurish. It begs the question: why would they put themselves out there for a college coach who didn't want the job?
The What-Ifs
Hurley might have been a huge success in Los Angeles. He is a proven winner, having earned respect from scouts and front-office personnel for the tactical level of UConn's teams. Maybe Hurley would have made the leap from college basketball to NBA coaching successfully, similar to Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan.
However, the past does not always predict the future. Skepticism remains about college head coaches transitioning to the NBA level. Being turned down publicly is one thing; being the Lakers and turned down by a college coach is another.
Collateral Damage
JJ Redick must feel stung. Redick seemed confident about securing the Lakers' head coaching role, even giving off "I'll-confirm-my-new-head-coaching-gig vibes" on his podcast. Having to go on national TV and pretend he wasn't dumped for someone else must have been challenging. James Borrego was left in a strange limbo-meets-rejection over the past few days.
The Lakers' failed attempt with Hurley was observed by candidates with NBA experience. The team’s two strongest candidates couldn't have been more different. Hurley would have been an investment in a longer game, looking toward a post-LeBron reality and potentially turning three first-round picks into groundwork for a youthful team. In contrast, Redick would signify a focus on LeBron's waning years, emphasizing short-term competitiveness and possibly trading three first-round picks for a star player.
A Lack of Vision
The Lakers seem to be operating as if hiring an NBA head coach is akin to scrolling through Netflix. This is not a sound way to run an NBA organization. There are consequences for a slipshod approach like this. Hurley's rejection makes it harder for the Lakers to find a winning candidate.
The Lakers cannot afford LeBron deciding to go elsewhere. LeBron has significant leverage and might demand a firmer say in who gets the coaching gig. He and the new coach might push to trade for another star. That’s fine as a well-thought-out plan, but not as an unintended consequence of being embarrassed by Hurley.
The Lakers chased a shocker by going after Hurley. The biggest surprise now is that the team Hurley passed on has no real plan or vision to win in the future.
Quotes
"I can do better."