Lakers next coach frontrunners: Remaining candidates after Dan Hurley’s rejection
After Dan Hurley chose to stay with UConn and reject a coaching position with the LA Lakers, the Purple and Gold franchise will have to restart their search for their next head tactician.
Hurley turned down a reported six-year, $70 million offer by the Lakers and chose to continue his quest for a three-peat in the NCAA Tournament, a feat that hasn't been achieved since 1973. While it reinforced Hurley’s commitment to UConn, it forced the Lakers to restart their selection process.
The Lakers fired former coach Darvin Ham after a first-round exit in the 2024 playoffs and have since been on the lookout for a replacement. The Lakers won 47 games in the regular season and were matched up against the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs, losing in five games.
While coaching one of the NBA’s most glamorous franchises has proven to be a challenging job, here are some frontrunners to lead the Lakers, anchored by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Frontrunners for Lakers coaching role
JJ Redick
JJ Redick was reportedly the initial frontrunner before Hurley came into the picture. It was reported by The Athletic that the Lakers “want a coach that can be their version of an Erik Spoelstra, their version of a Steve Kerr," which Redick, as a former player and being just 39 years old, personified.
Redick has been working in NBA media since ending his 15-year NBA career. His basketball wits have also been showcased in the podcast "Mind the Game" that he hosts with Lakers star LeBron James. If hired, this will be Redick’s first coaching job.
Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell has long been a part of head coaching rumors. He won three NBA titles as a player and boasts an extensive NBA coaching career, including being a part of the Boston Celtics currently in the NBA finals.
If the Lakers were to hire Cassell, the team would get a veteran who has been an assistant since 2009 for teams such as the Washington Wizards, LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.
Phil Handy
Phil Handy is highly talked about within the Lakers organization, giving him a chance to take over the coaching reins. Handy is a player development coach. The Lakers' alleged primary reason for expressing interest in Hurley was to develop their young players. So, Handy fits in the role perfectly.
Handy was an assistant with the Lakers from 2011 to 2013 before stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. He returned to the Lakers in 2019 and won a title in 2020.