How working with UConn’s Dan Hurley might impact the Los Angeles

One month after firing Darvin Ham, the Lakers are zeroing in on their next head coach. Sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Los Angeles is preparing a huge, long-term contract deal to pry two-time NCAA champ Dan Hurley far from the University of Connecticut. What would such a huge hire mean for the Lakers– and the future of superstar LeBron James, who can end up being a free agent this summer? Our NBA and college basketball professionals break down what we know and what could happen in the coming days and weeks.Why are the

Lakers targeting Hurley, a coach with no NBA experience?It’s an adventurous and

innovative choice that reflects where college basketball remains in the NIL era, where the NBA is with its new cumulative bargaining agreement and where the Lakers want churning through coaches over the previous decade. (They have not had a coach last more than three seasons considering that Phil Jackson.)There isn’t a best choice, but this one would represent a high-risk/high-reward option with a coach with undoubted talent.The other prospects, among whom might still get the task

, as Hurley is not a done deal, represent a few of these qualities. JJ Redick has actually revealed fantastic innovation and depth in X’s and O’s and has credibility with players. James Borrego has the most experience and has proved to be reliable at this level. Sam Cassell is precious as an assistant, has actually bonded with stars, and has a championship résumé. Hurley’s profile is various, but his star has actually never been greater.– Brian Windhorst What would Hurley give the Lakers? How would his coaching designtranslate to the NBA?Over the past few years, Hurley has actually established himself as one of the elite player-development coaches and tactical minds in college basketball. After his very first national championship with UConn, he had actually two players chosen in the 2023 NBA draft– including lottery game choice Jordan Hawkins, who saw significant enhancement from Year 1 to Year 2 under Hurley. This year, he had 5 players welcomed to the NBA draft combine and could have the first two college players chose in Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle– neither of whom remained in this position when they got here in Storrs.You’re the GM– and you’re on the clock! Dreamed of being an NBA general supervisor?

You remain in luck. ESPN Analytics has actually launched its mock-draft simulator, which enables you, your group’s crucial decision-maker, to make choices and trades throughout the 2 rounds of the NBA draft. From a tactical perspective, he’s developed probably the very best offense

in college basketball, predicated on off-ball movement and 3-point shooting. It’s a plain modification from his offenses at Rhode Island and his early days at UConn, and represents an ability to adjust his X’s and O’s to the contemporary game. The offending concepts he’s used also translate well to the NBA.The greatest question about Hurley’s coaching design originates from an emotional viewpoint. He’s infamous for his sideline histrionics toward referees– and opposing crowds, sometimes– and his practices are incredibly loud, extreme and filled with their reasonable share of option words. Hurley’s strength has actually translated to lots of success at the high school and college levels and would be tough to entirely change at 51 years old, but he may need to dial it back for the NBA.– Jeff Borzello What would a Hurley employ mean for LeBron James?For starters, it would indicate his fourth coach in 7 years with the

Lakers, after betting six various coaches over his first 15 years in the league. And

it would suggest his second successive coach, after Darvin Ham, to coach him with no NBA head-coaching experience on his résumé.James has actually not had any conversations with the Lakers about Hurley -or Redick and the training search in basic for that matter– a source familiar with the situation told ESPN on Thursday. James, through his representatives, has actually made it clear that the Lakers ought to do what is best for the company and is mindful and considerate that the Lakers require to decide on a coach that will be with the group beyond his playing career.James has already backed Hurley’s acumen, posting on X– paradoxically under a video of Redick interviewing Hurley– that the Connecticut coach is”so DAMN GREAT” and” super imaginative “with his offensive plans. Matching wits with James’ basketball mind has actually constantly been the secret to a good partnership and is something James values as much if not more as a coach’s organizational skills and demeanor.Of course, the idea of Hurley’s fiery behavior translating from a 40-game collegiate season training teenagers to an 82-game NBA slate, holding a superstar like James responsible, remains an enigma. However, sources near James have actually told ESPN in the past that while it might not constantly seem that method, James likes being coached hard and responds well to being held to a task on the floor– even as he nears 40 years old.– Dave McMenamin What could the Lakers do this offseason to improve the lineup for Hurley (or another coach )? The lineup the Lakers have now, as Hurley is talking to for the task, could look far various than the one he would perhaps coach in October.All-Star Anthony Davis is under agreement and all indications indicate James returning(he has until June 29 to exercise his $51.4 million player choice).

But there are questions about the rest of the lineup beyond the two franchise players, beginning with D’Angelo Russell’s $18.9 million player option.Editor’s Picks< img src ="https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0605/r1341814_1296x1296_1-1.jpg&w=130&h=130&scale=crop&location=center"width="65 "height

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If Russell decides in to his contract for next season, Los Angeles is not just a high-end tax group when again, but will go beyond the very first apron. If the Lakers re-sign restricted free representative Max Christie, they would then get in the limiting second apron. A group over the very first apron is not allowed to take back more money in a trade, while a second-apron team can not aggregate contracts or send out money in a trade, and doesn’t have access to the $5.1 million taxpayer midlevel exception.A scenario in

which Russell does not return opens more versatility, including access to the $12.9 million midlevel exception and more wiggle space to acquire a player in a trade. Nevertheless, it would also leave the Lakers with a space at point guard.The Lakers

will also need to examine if looking for a third star to put alongside James and Davis is the best instructions under the new CBA. The Lakers have 3 first-round picks (2024, 2029 and 2031) to trade, but a more prudent usage of them would be to copy how the Dallas Mavericks have utilized their draft possessions. In three different trades, the Mavericks got Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, all essential factors to their NBA Finals group. The cost? Three first-round choices.

— Bobby Marks

How would a Hurley employ affect the likelihood of the Lakers preparing Bronny James?Obviously, it’s prematurely to predict how much impact Hurley might have more than the Lakers ‘technique to the draft, with L.A.’s front office in the midst of preparations irrespective of this hire.Whether the Lakers target Bronny James, a

projected second-rounder, may not be Hurley’s call, and I do not think there’s a direct ramification one method or the other as to their instant technique in cultivating the fringes of their lineup. The Lakers will most likely target a more NBA-ready rookie with the 17th pick if they keep it, leaving the door open for them to take a longer-term possibility in the second round at No. 55. More importantly, a major inspiration behind the Lakers targeting Hurley with a substantial long-lasting offer is his strong history of player advancement, something that holds worth to the organization not just in the moment, but also as it gets ready for the eventuality of a post-LeBron future.During this back-to-back title run, Hurley and his UConn staff did an exceptional task of identifying underestimated talent on the recruiting path and developing them into NBA potential customers. Clingan and Castle will come off the draft board early in a couple of weeks. Others such as Webcam Spencer and Alex Karaban(who’s headed back to UConn )benefited strongly from the program. It follows that if the Lakers ultimately choose to target Bronny James, the Hurley hire is one that might enhance his opportunities of becoming a player who sticks in the league long-term.– Jeremy Woo