Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up (YouTube link) on Friday, Brian Windhorst stressed that Dan Hurley coaching the Lakers is far from a sure thing, despite UConn’s head coach being open to L.A.’s advances.
“I know that this has momentum as (Adrian Wojnarowski) talked about, but it’s been emphasized to me that this is not a done deal,” Windhorst said (hat tip to RealGM). “That there is still relationship building and conversations that need to take place that are probably going to take place over the next couple of days.”
A source tells Jeff Goodman of Field of 68 (Twitter link) that Hurley was going into today’s meeting with the Lakers “completely open-minded” and is expected to fly back home and weigh his decision over the weekend.
Here are a few more notes from around the Pacific:
- Suns guard Bradley Beal underwent a follow-up procedure on his nose shortly after the team was eliminated from the playoffs this spring, reports Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Beal, who initially had a procedure performed on his nose after breaking it in January, said in March that he still had to get his septum “realigned,” adding that it would likely happen after the season.
- Responding to a report that claims the Suns will be among the teams to watch for Buddy Hield this offseason, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 tweets that he doesn’t expect Phoenix to have any interest in the veteran sharpshooter. Barring significant cost-cutting moves, the Suns won’t be able to offer more than the veteran’s minimum to free agents or to acquire them via sign-and-trade, so Hield is probably an unrealistic target to begin with.
- The Clippers hosted four senior guards as part of a pre-draft workout on Thursday, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Xavier Johnson (Southern Illinois), Tristen Newton (UConn), Cormac Ryan (UNC), and Tyler Thomas (Hofstra) took part in the session. None of those prospects ranks higher than No. 68 (Newton) on ESPN’s big board, but they could be in the second-round mix. The Clippers’ lone 2024 draft pick is 46th overall.
- The Warriors have officially named Jon Phelps their senior director of basketball strategy and team counsel, confirming the front office addition in a press release (Twitter link). Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported last week that Golden State would be hiring Phelps away from the Pistons following his decade-long stint in Detroit.
Oh, the laker suspense is killing me, LOL.
Bend the knee and middle of the road at best it is, yay. Trading Bron is the only thing helping those media and officials darlings. If not for the ridiculous free throw discrepancy, L A would’ve been dead last in the Pacific. Man the lakers stink.
You do realize a team that doesn’t shoot a bunch of threes is going to be fouled more frequently?
Laker fans have started using that lame excuse for the discrepancy in free throws as a smoke screen. Not only do the Lakers go to the line more often, they’re rarely called for fouls and that dates back to the 1980s.
We get it, you hate the Lakers. Is your real name Red?
Ah yes, the Pistons, widely known as the most well-run and planned out team over the last decade “strategy and team counsel” of the biggest joke in the league miight not be a wise hire if I were GSW….
“Barring significant cost-cutting moves, the Suns won’t be either to offer more than the veteran’s minimum to free agent”
Did your child write this?
I’ll take full credit for that rogue “either” but have to object to the suggestion that I wrote “free agent” and not “free agents”!
I read where Hurley’s practices are tougher that Tibs’ practices and could run off some players.
Maybe they want said players ran off but don’t want to do it themselves?
*wink
This reads as Lakers being salty Boston is taking their headlines so they drag us through this goosechase. Who cares! just pick someone it’s all meaningless until you make a decision.
Then check AP News every night. If the Lakers hire someone the headline will be,
LAKERS HIRE NEW COACH.
The rumors won’t be there. You’ll have what you want.
Your other point is definitely valid. I think the Lakers are trying to cut in on Boston’s fantastic run so far by crashing the rumors party.
If rumor is true – 100m guarantee, Hurley should take it. Enjoy Hollywood glitz for couple yrs… and get fired. In the meantime, he wants UConn to raise NIL funds, and not just his salary.