🏀 Outside the ACC Offseason 2024

Men's Basketball
62

Man imagine you’re Hurley move to LA and Lebron leaves…

3 Likes
63

I’d actually say it’s a pretty big leverage chip. Lebron can opt out of his contract and sign wherever he wants. I can’t see a team using a 1st on Bronny, but a contender using a 2nd round pick on him with the hope it brings Lebron…could totally see that.

4 Likes
64

They could then also use Bronny’s rights as trade leverage for either the Lakers or someone else LeBron would be willing to go to. Someone focusing on a long term rebuild process could turn a 2nd rounder on Bronny into a 1st rounder in a future draft if a contender who wants Lebron for a year or so sees that as the way.

1 Like
65

I just saw this, and my very sophisticated take is:

  1. Hurley would be an outstanding NBA coach (I think)
  2. We’re talking about a massive contract
  3. It’s the Lakers

I have no idea if he will take it, but this is a very tempting job, and it would be a huge career move for him.

9 Likes
66

Definitely some appeal, but guess it depends on what you want your legacy to be.

Billy Donovan left the college game after a couple of NC’s and has had a good but not especially notable NBA run. He could have been seen as a college GOAT with another title or two if he had stayed with college.

As I recall, K could have left Duke in the early 90’s and close not to.

4 Likes
67

Man the Billy Donovan comparison could be spot on, basically the exact same situation Hurley finds himself in. And I honestly don’t know how’d I’d quantify Donovan’s NBA career. I think it’s slightly worst or lower grade than what he would have been if he kept the UF ride going.

At least with Brad Stevens you know he maxed out his potential in college. Butler to the national championship and a missed halfcourt shot away from winning it all is their peak and the money and coverage would never match that of a true P5 team.

I do think Hurley’s actions and innovation on the court will work in the NBA. I do wonder about some of his approach in terms of practice etc will translate to NBA talent. The other thing that makes the move not as appealing to me is the LA job is a good one because of LBJ but that ride can’t last more than 2 maybe 3 years?!? That’s a big gamble to bet your entire legacy on being able to maximize that roster in 2 years.

6 Likes
68

Stevens also found the perfect franchise to land at.

Donovan going to OKC was great when they had Durant, Westrbook, and Harden but after that it was just a backwater that couldn’t attract good FA talent and has only been able to get good again by tanking and then stacking multiple hits from the Lottery. Even in Chicago they’re hopelessly stuck in the middle, not good enough to make a playoff run but not bad enough to get top Draft talent. He may be looking for another job soon enough.

One other Donovan note, he spent 19 years at Florida, which is longer than we’ve had Bennett, and only two years less than Villanova had Jay Wright. He gave them plenty of tenure, basically a generation of stability. Dan Hurley’s only been at UConn for 6 seasons.

6 Likes
69

I’m torn on this. I’d sorta prefer he stay in college. But if he stays, the already insufferable UConn fans will somehow be even more insufferable.

But maybe he could leave for Seton Hall in a few years. That’d be fun.

9 Likes
70

My question is why is this story leaking now and why in this way.

The info that leaked is that they are going to be in talks and those will escalate in the coming days with a lot of money on the table. Who benefits from this info coming out now?

Unless Hurley wants more $ from UCONN, but I don’t think that’s likely since he signed for 6 years, $32 mil after the 2023 title …

Any thoughts?

4 Likes
71

I think there are a couple possibilities.

  1. Shams and Woj hate each other and like dueling stories to show who is the best NBA insider.

  2. JJ has been the Lakers guy seemingly for a month now, so maybe his camp drumming up stuff so he doesn’t get lowballed

  3. Hurley learning from CFB coaches and wants to up that 5.35 to 6.5 or 7.

5 Likes
72

May be relevant. Also hilarious he’s dragging Reddick like this publicly.

https://x.com/dpshow/status/1798724944194318692?s=46&t=TLtc0ruA8RdBi8KFTrhv5Q

5 Likes
73

From Jim Calhoun’s grandson, a UConn reporter:
https://x.com/_samcalhoun/status/1798724073209643061

4 Likes
74

I agree with this, but something to keep in mind is that Hurley has publicly said he wants to coach in the NBA. The opportunity to be the head coach of the Lakers will likely not come around again. There is no salary cap for coaches in the NBA, and word is the Lakers are prepared to give Hurley a long-term deal that would make him the highest paid coach in the NBA. Pretty tough to turn down.

He obviously may turn it down, but I am interested in which side leaked this given the negotiations have apparently been going on for a while. I don’t think the Lakers’ front office wants to whiff on this.

Don’t know, but UConn fans must be absolutely freaking out!

3 Likes
75

Could be weird internal Lakers front office stuff between:
IMG_3572
IMG_3573

IMG_3574
IMG_35741400×700 226 KB

On one hand, and …

IMG_3575

On the other.

2 Likes
76

The only thing I would say about this is Anthony Davis, and the fact that the Lakers have always been able to attract stars, so I don’t think that would be an issue. Apparently, they want Hurley’s player development skills and are offering a long-term contract, so he doesn’t have to build a team in 2 years.

I dunno…he may not be very interested, but I have a hunch it is more likely than not that he goes. That kind of money talks regardless of who one is, imo.

1 Like
77

The middle part of that I agree with. The Lakers have and will continue to attract stars.

The AD part I’m a bit skeptical on but I totally get why he would be an attractive piece, but much like building around Embiid I’m not sure it’s a path for long term success.

I can’t remember a time when the Lakers have taken the long route to success. They have done well to draft 2 generational super stars in Magic and Kobe but they augmented them through their ability to attract FA’s. I just don’t know if the front office and the fans have an appetite for a rebuild no matter how small.

The reason I say the next coach has a 2-3 year window is because of Lebron, When he is on your team, any season that doesn’t end in a championship could be considered a bust. To have him finish out his career without winning a championship, the blame would be laid at the coaches feet and not LBJ’s. Ask Hamm, Blatt, Lue, and a cast of others how that goes.

2 Likes
78

Sorry; I commented on this before I read your post. I find it extremely interesting as well. I watched part of a Laker podcast and they seemed to think it was the Lakers front office that leaked it because they are apparently saying they are in “a full court press” with Hurley. Some say JJ was smoke while they talked to Hurley, who was the target all along.

Whatever the truth is, I think it would be useful to know who leaked it.

1 Like
79

Agree. But I have one question that I know absolutely nothing about; how does the CBA affect a team’s ability to win quickly? Honestly don’t know.

To the last part about winning quickly, would someone as hyper-competitive as Hurley be scared away from the challenge? I have no idea; just a thought.

2 Likes
80

No clue about the CBA I won’t pretend to know the ins and outs of it enough to make a statement.

I agree Hurley is ultra competitive and enjoys a challenge but just because you enjoy a challenge does not mean you win every challenge or that it’s smart to take on every one.

5 Likes
81

CBS pod just noted Woj is tight with the Hurleys. Wrote a book about Senior. Used to be at Bergen record, I think.

2 Likes