Statements
LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers lost out on Dan Hurley on Monday, signaling a significant setback for the team's off-season plans.
A Missed Opportunity
The Lakers seem to have lost the thread in their search for a new head coach. Hurley turned down the Lakers' six-year, $70 million offer, a decision that comes as no great shock. Hurley has the opportunity to chase a third straight NCAA championship, making the Lakers' job offer a bit of a poisoned chalice.
There was no guarantee that a hard-charging, no-NBA-experience hire like Hurley would fit well with LeBron James. LeBron, known for his exacting standards and particular view of team operations, prefers to be a partner with the head coach rather than a subordinate. The organization's decision-making in this hiring process makes it apparent they do not seem to know what they’re doing or whom they’d like to become.
An Embarrassing Pursuit
In chasing Hurley, the Lakers embarrassed themselves by going after a gamble. Hurley was undoubtedly a gamble, and the Lakers were spurned in a public, slow-moving manner, making them appear small and amateurish. It begs the question: Why would they 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, given he is a proven winner, the skepticism around college head coaches making the leap to the NBA is well-documented. Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan have successfully made the transition, but the past does not always predict the future. Scouts and front-office personnel may have been impressed with the tactical level of UConn's teams, yet many remain skeptical about the success of college coaches at the NBA level.
The Impact on Other Candidates
Being turned down publicly is one thing, but being the Lakers and turned down by a college coach is another story. JJ Redick, for example, must feel particularly stung. Redick, who seemed to give off "I’ll-confirm-my-new-head-coaching-gig vibes" on his podcast, having to go on national TV and pretend he hadn't been dumped for someone else must have been difficult.
James Borrego was also left in a strange limbo over the past few days, adding to the ongoing embarrassment for the Lakers' organization. The candidates with NBA experience watched the Lakers' failed pursuit of Hurley, undoubtedly taking note of the misstep.
Contrasting Visions for the Future
The Lakers’ two strongest candidates, Hurley and Redick, could not have been more different in their prospective approaches. Hurley would have represented an investment in a longer game, focusing on a post-LeBron reality. He might have turned three first-round picks into the groundwork needed for a youthful team.
In contrast, Redick would have signaled a focus on LeBron's waning years, emphasizing the need to compete in the short term. Redick might have considered trading three first-round picks for a star player, embodying a very different vision from Hurley’s.
A Slipshod Approach
The Lakers appear to be operating as if hiring an NBA head coach is equivalent to scrolling through Netflix—a perilous and unsound way to run an NBA organization. There are significant consequences for such a slipshod approach, and Hurley turning down the Lakers makes it even harder to find a winning candidate moving forward.
The Lakers cannot afford to see LeBron deciding to go somewhere else, given he has plenty of leverage. LeBron might have a firmer say in who gets the head coaching gig now, and he and the new coach might push for trading for another star player. This would be fine if it was part of a well-thought-out plan, but it becomes problematic as an unintended consequence of being embarrassed by Hurley.
Looking Ahead
The Lakers chased a shocker in going after Hurley, and the biggest surprise now is that the team he passed on has no real plan. The organization does not appear to know its vision to win in the future, a disturbing reality for Lakers fans and stakeholders. The next steps the Lakers take will be crucial in defining their short-term and long-term success—one can only hope they learn from this misadventure.
Quotes
"I can do better."