How potential Dan Hurley hire impacts Lakers drafting Bronny James

The Los Angeles Lakers potentially hiring Dan Hurley could impact if Los Angeles drafts Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft.

With the 17th and 55th picks, the Lakers would likely use the latter to draft the USC guard and son of LeBron James. LeBron James has yet to make a decision to opt out or not and test free agency this summer.

It’s been a goal of LeBron to play with his son Bronny in the NBA if it can happen organically. Hurley might be a piece to that puzzle, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

“Part of being a great coach is understanding how to game plan for people,” Wojnarowski said on Get Up. You have to learn the personnel in the league. And so staff is going to be important and patience is going to be important. That it does take a little time. This is a major adjustment. You know the one thing we talked about initially with Bronny James, are the Lakers a good fit for Bronny James? And I think even Rich Paul talked about this. Is it a place that puts a premium on development? The Lakers have not been a developmental program. 

“They’ve been a win now program, but they have developed players. Austin Reeves was an undrafted player who came in and has become an outstanding NBA player. You know, (Udonis Haslem) knows that in Miami. How many undrafted players have come through Miami? Right? That’s the hallmark of the Miami Heat organization. You’ve got to find those guys in this NBA and develop them.” 

Bronny James, based on his recovery from cardiac arrest, modest playing time and stats, was not a sought after NBA prospect. But after entering the transfer portal and weighing his options at the scouting combine, he elected to go pro.

Heck, Bronny James declined all offered workouts with NBA teams except for the Lakers and Phoenix Suns.

Where, or if, he gets drafted remains to be seen. With Hurley potentially in the mix, it could be a good pairing with the James duo and UConn coach.

“And if you want to bring Bronny James into play with Lebron James and if LeBron James wants to play with his son, which I think organically if it made sense, of course they want it,” Wojnarowski said. “They have the 55th text. And now the idea that you would have Danny Hurley as the leader of the developmental program for a Bronny James, I think that has a lot of value for that organization.”