Lakers target named as ‘potential leading candidate’ to become Cleveland Cavaliers coach

University of Connecticut Head Coach Dan Hurley said no to the Los Angeles Lakers, declining their six-year, $70 million offer to replace Darvin Ham at the head of the bench.

This came after two of LA’s other top candidates, Tyronn Lue and Jason Kidd, signed extensions with their current franchises rather than entertain the possibility of leading LeBron James and Anthony Davis toward another championship.

That left the Lakers with ESPN broadcaster JJ Redick and New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego as the two names most often mentioned with LA’s head coaching vacancy.

However, per the latest reports, general manager Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss may have lost another possible appointee.

Lakers target James Borrego ‘potential leading candidate’ for Cleveland Cavaliers head coaching job

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Borrego was set to interview with the Cavs, despite his spot near the front of the queue for the Lakers opening.

James Borrego is scheduled to meet with the Cavaliers about their head coaching vacancy in Cleveland today, league sources say. 

Borrego is also back at the forefront of the Lakers' search after Dan Hurley passed on L.A.'s offer to stay at UConn.

More: https://t.co/A6ycVmnZ8Y

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 11, 2024

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst relayed the news that Borrego was emerging as a front-runner in Cleveland (h/t Cavs Insider):

James Borrego, who [the Lakers] interviewed about 10 days ago, he’s getting momentum in Cleveland. He’s expected to interview there early this week as a potential leading candidate developing with the Cavs.

LA’s difficulty in nailing down a new head coach is becoming a not-so-subtle hint that the pressure of coaching a championship-or-bust Lakers team featuring an aging James and an injury-prone Davis – in a loaded Western Conference, no less – may be far less attractive than the franchise believes.

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