The Los Angeles Lakers are having issues landing their top choices for head coach. A few years ago, the team struggled to land coaches before settling on Darvin Ham. Now, they may be in the same boat in 2024. UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley has turned down the Lakers and will stay with the school. It has left the team scrambling to find their next candidate. According to a report, former Villanova head coach Jay Wright is a “stealth candidate” to take the position.
Rumor: Los Angeles Lakers Looking At Jay Wright
NBA Insider Marc Stein reported on Sunday that Jay Wright is a dark horse candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Villanova coach has long been a top target for NBA teams but has never made the leap. He now serves as an analyst, and teams are keeping an eye on him. Stein had this to say in his report.
“I know that there is great interest in the backstory here …. whether Hurley indeed was the Lakers’ dream target all along or if the Lakers increased the intensity of their Hurley courtship more recently because of 11th-hour doubts about Redick or anyone else in the process,” Stein wrote. “(I had been warned early on by one well-placed insider, for what it’s worth, to stay ready in case former Villanova coach Jay Wright emerged as a stealth candidate.)”
It doesn’t seem like there is a strong possibility that Wright will become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Stein is a plugged-in person. He wouldn’t mention this unless there was a real possibility it could happen. The Lakers will likely look to some other candidates, but if Jay Wright expresses interest, the team might pounce.
Why Can’t The Lakers Close The Deal?
This is becoming a concern for the Los Angeles Lakers. They have a storied franchise, and this job has long been viewed as one of the premier jobs in all sports. That does not seem to be the case in 2024. There are a couple of possible reasons. One is money. The NBA and the Lakers used to be able to offer the most money. College basketball pays coaches very well, and the allure of NBA money isn’t there anymore.
The second reason is the Los Angeles Lakers job comes with an immense amount of pressure. LeBron James is in the twilight of his career and wants another championship. It is the Finals or bust for this team. Coaches may not want to walk into a situation where they will be blamed if something goes wrong but get no credit when things go right. The coaching search got a little more interesting today, and it will be interesting to see who ultimately takes the job.
About The Author
Matt Brown is one of the owners at Total Apex. He has been writing about sports and entertainment for over two years and currently works as a banker in Wisconsin. His passion for sports and entertainment knows no bounds, but football is the sport he follows most closely. However, he is never afraid to branch out, and you will see him talk about anything sports with anyone who will listen. Being a former Disney Store cast member, he will talk your ear off on anything Disney.
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