EXCLUSIVE!:”Lakers’ Coaching Hunt Heats Up Rivalry Between NBA Insiders Woj and Shams…Read more
“Lakers’ Chaotic Coaching Search Sparks New Rivalry Between Woj and Shams”
Dan Hurley will not be the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Days after ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the college coach had “been at the forefront of the Lakers’ search from the beginning,” Hurley withdrew from consideration on Monday and chose to remain at UConn. This latest setback in the Lakers’ coaching search has been marked by conflicting reports from Woj and his rival, Shams Charania, making their rivalry more intriguing than the search itself.
Wojnarowski’s unexpected report on June 6 revealed that Hurley and the Lakers were negotiating a “massive, long-term contract,” emphasizing that Hurley had been a primary candidate from the start. This seemed to counter Charania’s earlier scoop, which suggested that the Lakers were focusing on JJ Redick. Charania did not list Hurley as a serious contender, suggesting that if Woj was correct, Charania was misled by his sources.
Woj reported that the Lakers offered Hurley a six-year, $70 million deal, which would have made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. It is unclear whether Hurley seriously considered the offer or used it as leverage against UConn. Despite their glamorous image, the Lakers lack the financial resources of their rivals. For instance, their 2019 offer to Ty Lue was so low that he chose to remain with the Clippers as an assistant.
Although the offer to Hurley was more substantial, it was insufficient. After winning his first title in 2023, Hurley signed a six-year deal worth $32.1 million but was open about seeking a raise after his second championship. The vacancy at Kentucky, following John Calipari’s departure, gave Hurley’s camp an opportunity to request more money even before the Lakers showed interest. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont expressed willingness to negotiate a raise for Hurley, suggesting that the coach effectively used the Lakers to get a better deal. Woj’s report on Hurley’s decision to stay was characteristically ambiguous.
Following the news of Hurley staying at UConn, Charania questioned the sincerity of the Lakers’ interest in Hurley on his show, implying that Woj may have been misled. Charania took another jab at the Hurley-to-Lakers rumors during his appearance on Pat McAfee’s show.
This rivalry marks the first direct conflict between Woj and Shams since Wojnarowski left Yahoo Sports for ESPN in 2017. Their rivalry has been characterized by subtle jabs and internal policies discouraging their respective teams from promoting each other’s work. Both reporters, who compete for exclusives on decisions that could impact LeBron James’ future with the Lakers, have been forced into closer competition.
While their rivalry is entertaining, it also highlights the transactional nature of their work, where they trade favors with organizations and agents for scoops. Despite being key figures in NBA news, their reports are only as reliable as their sources.
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