LeBron James #23 and Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers watch play during a 110-96 Miami Heat win at Crypto.com Arena on January 03, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP 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.
READ: A look at NBA head coaches on LeBron James-led teams 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 replac.
