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LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers lost Dan Hurley on Monday, and it seems they have consequently lost the thread altogether. Hurley turned down the Lakers' six-year, $70 million offer, which, while not a shock, raises several questions about the franchise’s current direction and strategy.
A Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off
The lure for Hurley was the chance to chase a third straight NCAA championship, a prospect more appealing than the so-called 'poisoned chalice' of the Lakers' head coach position. With no guarantee that a hard-charging, no-NBA-experience hire like Hurley would fit seamlessly with LeBron James, the Lakers may have dodged a bullet. LeBron, known for his exacting standards and particular view of how teams should operate, prefers a partnership with a head coach rather than a traditional player-coach dynamic.
The Lakers' pursuit of Hurley has exposed a deeper issue within the organization: an apparent lack of clarity and direction. They do not seem to know what they are doing or whom they want to become. Their attempt to land Hurley, a gamble in itself, has left them embarrassed on a public stage. The fact that Hurley turned down the offer in such a public, slow-moving manner only adds to the perception of amateurism surrounding the franchise.
The Risks and Rewards of a College Coach
Hurley was indeed a gamble. Despite his impressive track record and the high regard scouts and front-office personnel have for his tactical prowess with UConn’s teams, the transition from college basketball to the NBA is fraught with uncertainty. While Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan have made successful transitions, the past does not always predict the future, and skepticism around college head coaches at the NBA level remains rampant.
The optics of being turned down are problematic enough, but for the Lakers, being turned down by a college coach exacerbates the situation. JJ Redick, who appeared certain of landing the coaching gig, must feel particularly stung. His public persona, suggesting confidence about his new head-coaching role on his podcast, now clashes with the reality of having to pretend he hadn't been sidelined for someone else. Similarly, James Borrego found himself in an uncomfortable limbo over the past few days as the Lakers conducted their very public courtship of Hurley.
Conflicting Visions
The contrasting candidatures of Hurley and Redick highlight deeper strategic differences within the Lakers' organization. Hurley represented a long-term investment, someone likely to focus on a post-LeBron reality. His approach might have included developing a youthful team built around three first-round picks. Redick, on the other hand, would likely emphasize leveraging LeBron’s remaining years to compete in the short term, potentially trading those picks for a star player. These divergent visions underscore the lack of a unified strategy within the franchise.
The Consequences of a Slipshod Approach
The Lakers’ slipshod approach to hiring an NBA head coach suggests a deeper organizational malaise. The consequence of being spurned by Hurley is not just the embarrassment but also the challenge of finding a winning candidate moving forward. The franchise cannot afford to lose LeBron, who holds significant leverage in these negotiations. LeBron may now insist on having a firmer say in who gets the coaching job, potentially pushing the team towards trading for another star to maximize his remaining years.
While having a well-thought-out plan is commendable, being forced into a particular strategy as an unintended consequence of Hurley’s rejection is not. The Lakers' decision to chase a shocker in Hurley may have revealed their own shortcomings more than potential foresight.
A Lack of a Clear Plan
The biggest surprise in all of this isn’t that Hurley passed on the Lakers, but rather that the team he passed on appears to have no real plan. The Lakers do not seem to have a clear vision for winning in the future, a glaring issue for a franchise that once set the standard for excellence in the NBA. As they scramble to find their footing, one thing remains clear: the Lakers must quickly find cohesion and clarity, or risk prolonging their recent period of mediocrity.
Quotes
"I can do better."