Coach K ‘conspiracy theory’ goes viral amid Lakers’ Dan Hurley-JJ Redick madness

The Los Angeles Lakers are amid an intense search for their next head coach after parting ways with Darvin Ham. Several suitors have a chance to land the job, including UConn head coach Dan Hurley and player-turned-analyst JJ Redick. However, reports indicate that Hurley has emerged as the lead candidate. As a result, one renowned sports personality believes former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is pulling strings behind the scenes.

In mid-May. reports suggested Mike Krzyzewski was an “unofficial resource” in the Lakers’ head coach search. At the time, Los Angeles was rumored to be high on JJ Redick, but their pivot to Dan Hurley has Barstool Sports podcaster Dan Katz proposing an intriguing conspiracy theory.

“Just a reminder. There’s a good chance Coach K is behind all of this. He knew Hurley would surpass him in record speed. So what does he do? He becomes an “unofficial resource” in the Lakers HC search and tells them Hurley is the only guy for the job,” Katz wrote on X.

Katz added another interesting take on Krzyzewski’s influence.

“Just so sad that Coach K can’t leave the College game alone in retirement. He isn’t content just walking off into the sunset. He has to also ruin the entire sport and try to completely kill it forever,” Katz added.

Is Dan Katz right? Could Mike Mike Krzyzewski be the reason Los Angeles is favoring Hurley for their vacancy? The irony is Krzyzewski was once offered the Lakers’ head coaching job in 2004. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski added to the subplot with another bold take on the former Duke coach.

“If Mike Krzyzewski was in the same position, at the same age, with the way college basketball has changed, he almost assuredly would probably be the Lakers coach,” Wojnarowski said via Get Up ESPN.

Will Dan Hurley win the Lakers’ favor over JJ Reddick, others?

Dan Hurley is a winning coach who could help take the Lakers to the next level if offered the job. Hurley has led the highly respected UConn basketball team to two consecutive national championships. He has helped the Huskies maintain themselves as a national force.

Of course, he would have his hands full with the challenges the Lakers are facing. LA is trying to get back to the top of the Western Conference after winning a championship in 2020 and making the conference finals in 2023.

The Lakers finished the 2023-24 season with a 47-35 record, which placed them seventh in the conference standings. The team made the NBA Playoffs after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the Play-In Tournament. However, LA lost their first-round series 4-1 to the reigning champion Denver Nuggets.

Los Angeles has many questions about its roster going into 2024-25. LeBron James is approaching his 22nd second season. His window to win another title is closing. On the bright side, the Lakers retain the services of Anthony Davis, who played a career-high 76 games during the 2023-24 season.

It will be interesting to see how the team retools to remain competitive as they approach a crucial period.