Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka Accused of “Copying the Celtics” after Enticing Dan Hurley with $68 Million Lure

Inching closer to signing UCONN’s Dan Hurley as their new head coach, many are wondering if the Lakers are making the right move. Although an accomplished coach at the collegiate level, Hurley has never coached a professional team. With his playing style and dynamics different from college, there are concerns about whether he’ll be able to transition to the NBA. However, amid the doubts, veteran analyst Doug Gottlieb backed Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss’ strategic move to lure Hurley with $68 million, even accusing them of copying arch-rivals, the Boston Celtics.

Addressing Hurley’s potential hiring on The Doug Gottlieb Show, the Fox Sports analyst compared the situation to the Celtics hiring Brad Stevens as their head coach over a decade ago. Just like Hurley, Stevens had no experience coaching at the pro level but had an impressive college resume as the head coach of the Butler Bulldogs. Yet, the Celtics trusted him enough to hand him the keys to their rebuilding team in 2013. And reminding everyone what a brilliant move that turned out to be, Doug said, “Hey, who runs the Celtics? Oh right, that’s Brad Stevens.”

Taking a massive leap from college to the pros, Stevens coached the Celtics for eight seasons. During his tenure, the team in green made three Conference Finals appearances and was constantly in title contention. Then, Stevens left that role to take on an even bigger responsibility and is currently the Celtics President of Basketball Operations. And by building a team that won over sixty games this year and reached the finals, he even bagged his first Executive of the Year award. Citing Stevens’ success in Boston as the perfect roadmap for the Lakers, Doug said, “That is a great sign if you’re the Lakers that maybe you’re on the right path… You’re copying the Celtics in your own sort of unique way.”

Lakers reportedly ready to go all in on Dan Hurley

Hoping for similar success that the Celtics have had under Brad Stevens, Rob Pelinka and Co. are reportedly trying to lure Dan Hurley with an eight-year $100 million contract from the get-go, offering him nearly $68 million more than his current UCONN contract. While it does sound like an outrageous number for a person who has never coached at the pro level, if this massive risk pays off, it could change the trajectory of the Lakers franchise. According to the person who broke the initial news of Pelinka’s pursuit of Hurley, Adrian Wojnarowski, if Hurley joins as the Lakers head coach, he will come to develop a long-term program rather than switch teams every year.

Similar to what he has done in UCONN and led them to back-to-back national titles, Hurley would focus primarily on player development and building a team equipped to win a title. And Pelinka seems to be on board with this idea considering the massive long-term deal he is ready to offer Hurley. Meanwhile, LeBron James also has high appreciation and respect for Hurley, as he has previously been seen admiring his offensive knowledge and basketball IQ.

So, regardless of what the critics say, Laker Nation might be happy if Hurley becomes their team’s new head coach and is able to take the team to new heights, similar to Stevens in Boston. And before you go, check out how Caitlin Clark’s humility despite the negativity surrounding her is impressing Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato.