Now that Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley turned down the Los Angeles Lakers’ long-term contract offer, the franchise’s focus now moves down its list of targets ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, where Bronny James, at the request of superstar LeBron James, is a candidate for selection. There were growing reports that Hurley’s involvement in the Lakers’ coaching search was a “huge factor” in potentially bringing Bronny James into the organization. Now? It may not be happening.
“LeBron is going to play well with whomever the coach is, he’s always played at an elite level,” Adrian Wojnarowski said. “But I think where it fits with he and Bronny … I think this absolutely amplifies the possibility Bronny James is going to play with the Lakers if he’s available at No. 55. They have the 55th pick in the draft They’re not using No. 17 pick on Bronny James, there’s no need to.
“But having Dan Hurley as potentially the head coach in charge of Bronny’s development, it makes sense. You’re giving Bron and Bronny the opportunity to play with each other.”
LeBron James had made it clear to Los Angeles this summer his future plans are not 100% bearing on what the franchise’s intentions are with his son, who is projected as a late-round pick later this month.
“He didn’t want to (force) it at the expense of what was good for Bronny,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said.
Long-discussed to be a package deal of sorts, with LeBron James potentially opting out of his deal with the Lakers and teaming up with his son, Bronny James says that’s never been the plan.
“No, never. My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself, and get to the NBA, which is everyone’s end goal that’s here,” Bronny James said last month, via Michael Scotto. “I never thought about just playing with my dad, but of course he’s brought it up a couple of times. But yeah, I don’t think about it much.”
James, a former four-star recruit, played in 24 games for USC as a true freshman this past season, averaging 4.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 19.3 minutes per contest. He shot 37.4% from the floor and 27.3% from 3-point range.
Director of scouting for 247Sports, Adam Finkelstein projects both players to be on the same team next season.
“I expect Bronny will play with LeBron next year,” Finkelstein said last month on CBS Sports HQ. “There’s still some variables and hurdles to cross. He has to be declared eligible to compete because of the cardiac arrest he suffered over the summer. The NBA still needs to clear him before he’s able to participate in workouts and in the NBA Combine. LeBron has been very clear that he intends to play with his son. He wants to be day-to-day with his son. The Lakers want to keep LeBron happy. LeBron is eligible for an extension this year, and it looks like it’s going to be a multi-year extension.
“He has more leverage than ever. It is a big ask, but he’s got the leverage to pull it off. He’s LeBron James. He’s dictated front office moves for a long, long time. This one is not some max contract. This is your 15th spot on the roster.”
With Hurley staying put in college basketball, the Lakers’ sights could move back to J.J. Redick, who was one of the other reported finalists for the position after being interviewed. Redick also interviewed with the Charlotte Hornets this cycle and has no prior coaching experience.
Redick played 15 NBA seasons after an All-American career with the Blue Devils in the ACC and has since worked as a basketball analyst for ESPN.
A four-year starter at Duke, Redick was named consensus National Player of the Year in 2006 after averaging 26.8 points per game while shooting 42.1% from beyond the three-point line. The two-time ACC Player of the Year averaged 19.9 points per game for his collegiate career. The Orlando Magic drafted him 11th overall in 2006. He spent seven years in Orlando before one season in Milwaukee and really finding his scoring stroke over a four-season stretch with the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Redick played two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers with the two highest points per game averages of his career (17.1 and 18.1, respectively), prior to splitting 1.5 seasons with New Orleans and Dallas to round out his playing career, ending during the 2020-21 campaign.
