Getty J.R. Smith as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Even amid the NBA Finals, few topics are hotter than the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching search.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported June 6 that University of Connecticut men’s coach Dan Hurley was a target of the Lakers, but former player J.R. Smith warned Hurley against taking the job if it’s offered to him.
“Don’t fall for it!” Smith, who played 16 years in the league, tweeted on June 7 without elaborating. Smith played for Hurley St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, New Jersey, from 2002 to 2004, when Smith was selected in the first round of the NBA draft. He appeared in six regular-season and 10 playoff games for the Lakers in his final season in the league, 2019-20.
@danhurleyuconn don’t fall for it!
Wojnarowski reported late on June 6 that the Lakers and Hurley would meet the following day, Friday, June 7, in Southern California.
“The Lakers’ pursuit of Hurley to become the franchise’s next coach has accelerated and the sides are already discussing the contractual parameters of a potential deal that would be significant in its length and salary, sources said,” Wojnarowski wrote.
Wojnarowski’s morning report threw fans off guard because The Athletic’s Shams Charania had previously reported that the Lakers were “zeroing in” on JJ Redick as their new hire.
LeBron James ‘Impressed’ With Dan Hurley
Wojnarowski reported that LeBron James was “impressed” with Hurley’s college resume, specifically his offensive sets and history in talent development. Hurley’s UConn Huskies are the reigning NCAA champs, with back-to-back titles.
“As for the Lakers’ stars, LeBron James has been impressed with Hurley’s sophisticated offensive actions,” Wojnarowski wrote. “Assuming James returns to LA in free agency, the possibility of using the 55th overall pick in this month’s NBA draft on USC freshman guard Bronny James makes Hurley an even more intriguing candidate. If that happens, James gets a chance to play with his son and the benefit of Hurley and his staff becoming responsible for Bronny‘s pro development.”
James, who had yet to decide on his $51 million player option for 2024-2025 as of June 6, is the most important voice in any conversation about the Lakers’ future. It’s likely why Redick’s name received such serious consideration off the rip.
James and Redick, a former player now on TV, host a podcast together called “Mind the Game” and have a mutual respect for each other’s basketball IQs.
Any decision the Los Angeles front office makes this summer will also be made with the caveat of how it affects LeBron’s looming free agency decision. That includes the coaching hire, and whether or not they try and draft his son, Bronny.
Brian Windhorst: LeBron Told Lakers to Make Decision Best for Lakers
Ironically enough, in regard to the coaching search, James has attempted to take a backseat. And stay in that backseat.
Brian Windhorst revealed James message to the Lakers amid their coaching search on the June 6 episode of “Get Up” on ESPN.
“When LeBron met with the Lakers to talk about the head-coaching searching,” Windhorst said. “What he told them was, ‘Don’t make a decision based on me for this next year or two. Make the best decision that you can make for the Lakers franchise for the next decade.'”
James doesn’t want the Los Angeles front office prioritizing him as so many teams have done in the past. That sounds like a man who is largely undecided on where he’ll play in 2024-2025.
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J.R. Smith Warns Dan Hurley Against Taking Lakers Job