Lakers conduct a public coaching search, considering Redick and Hurley, in hopes of pleasing LeBron

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching search has been very public, seemingly chaotic and dominated by famous names.

Totally Hollywood, in other words.

The Lakers’ reported plan to offer a massive contract to UConn coach Dan Hurley is the latest twist in the monthlong race to replace Darvin Ham, who was fired May 3 after two seasons.

The Lakers were knocked out of the first round of the current playoffs, but the 17-time NBA champion franchise has nicely filled the void of hoops drama during the week before the NBA Finals with steady leaks about the progress of their quest for a coach who can win a title and, almost as vitally, a coach who can entice LeBron James to finish his career in purple and gold.

According to a person with knowledge of the lengthy search, the Lakers have strongly considered J.J. Redick, the former player and current ESPN analyst who does a podcast with James; Hurley, the back-to-back national championship-winning coach of the Huskies; and James Borrego, the respected former Charlotte Hornets coach and ex-Gregg Popovich assistant who spent last season on New Orleans’ staff.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Lakers aren’t commenting publicly on the search to replace Ham.

But they sure are commenting privately.

What would defending NCAA champion UConn do if Dan Hurley takes the Lakers job? Latest from ⁦@SportsCenter⁩ on the options for UConn’s roster and why the timing would put UConn administrators in a tough spot. pic.twitter.com/83otP5A2rp

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 6, 2024

On Wednesday, The Athletic reported Redick shockingly was the front-runner despite his total lack of coaching experience. On Thursday, the search took another wild turn when ESPN reported the Lakers instead were targeting Hurley, whose candidacy hadn’t even been mentioned in many discussions of the job.

The crazy twists are representative of the various factions within the Lakers’ brain trust of owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka dispensing narratives to their favored media outlets. The Lakers previously seemed unlikely to make an official hire before the end of the NBA Finals, but the person who spoke to the AP said even that could change, depending on their progress.

While the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics waited a week to begin the NBA Finals, the Lakers have dominated talk radio, television and message boards with speculation on the best choice to lead James and the Lakers back to contention for a second title together.

The Lakers are making their coaching change at a critical juncture for the franchise’s partnership with the NBA’s career scoring leader.

The 39-year-old James just completed his 21st season while playing at a higher level than anyone with that much experience in basketball history, but he has until June 29 to decide whether to exercise his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season.

James could take the deal, sign an even bigger new contract for more years or become a free agent for the first time in six years.

While 31-year-old Anthony Davis is the Lakers’ foundation with a long-term contract in Los Angeles, Buss and Pelinka are clearly determined to keep James alongside him for as long as possible, even publicly floating their willingness to draft his son, Bronny, who just completed one brief collegiate season at USC.

While agent Rich Paul has said James is not involved in the coaching search as he prepares to play for the U.S. at the Paris Olympics, the Lakers’ candidates seem designed to appeal to him.

James’ connection with Redick is well-known. James also recently praised Hurley on social media following a podcast interview between Redick and Hurley, with the 20-time All-Star writing that Hurley is “so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their (offense). Love it.”