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LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers lost Dan Hurley on Monday. This latest development marks yet another troubling step for a franchise that appears to have lost its way. Hurley turned down the Lakers' six-year, $70 million offer, choosing instead to chase a third straight NCAA championship. Given the circumstances, this decision isn't a shock.
The Lakers' head coaching position appears to have become a poisoned chalice. There's no guarantee that a hard-charging hire like Hurley, with no NBA experience, would mesh well with LeBron James. Known for his exacting standards and particular views on team operations, LeBron prefers to be a partner with a head coach rather than a subordinate.
The Lakers' Confusion
Recent events highlight the Lakers' evident confusion about their identity and direction. It's clear they do not know what they're doing or whom they want to become. Publicly pursuing Hurley, only to be spurned, has made the organization look amateurish. It raises the question: Why would the Lakers go to such lengths for a college coach who ultimately wasn't interested?
It's true that Hurley is a proven winner, having impressed scouts and front-office personnel with the tactical level of UConn's teams. He might have made the leap from college basketball to NBA coaching, akin to Brad Stevens or Billy Donovan. However, skepticism about college head coaches succeeding at the NBA level remains high. Past successes do not always predict future outcomes, and being turned down publicly, especially by a college coach, further tarnishes the Lakers' image.
The JJ Redick Situation
Another element in this coaching drama involves JJ Redick. He gave off strong vibes that he was about to confirm a new head-coaching gig on his podcast. However, having to go on national TV and maintain the façade that he hadn't been ousted for someone else must have been challenging. Additionally, James Borrego found himself in a strange limbo, experiencing a rejection of sorts over the past days.
The two strongest candidates for the Lakers' head coach position, Hurley and Redick, couldn't be more different in terms of vision. Hiring Hurley would have signaled an investment in a longer-term plan, looking toward a post-LeBron reality. He might have utilized the team's three first-round picks to build a young and dynamic team.
Conversely, hiring Redick would have indicated a focus on LeBron's remaining years. Redick's approach would likely have emphasized immediate competition, possibly trading those three first-round picks for a star player. These contrasting visions demonstrate the Lakers’ lack of a cohesive strategy.
The Consequences of a Slipshod Approach
Operating as if hiring an NBA head coach is no different from scrolling through Netflix is not a sound strategy for running a professional sports team. There are real consequences to such a haphazard approach. Hurley's refusal to join the Lakers has now made finding a suitable candidate even harder.
The stakes are high, as the Lakers cannot afford to lose LeBron James. He has significant leverage and could influence the decision on who gets the head coaching gig. A new coach, possibly influenced by LeBron, might push for a trade to bring in another star. This would be fine if it were part of a well-thought-out plan, not an unintended consequence of the embarrassment of being turned down by Hurley.
A Shock Decision
The biggest surprise isn't just Hurley turning down the Lakers; it's that the team Hurley rejected lacks a coherent plan for the future. There's little evidence to suggest that the Lakers know how to build a winning vision for the years to come.
As the saying goes, "I can do better." For the Lakers' organization, it's high time they internalized this sentiment and sought to develop a clear and structured path forward. Only then can they hope to restore their image and once again become a formidable presence in the NBA.