What's next for the NBA's coaching carousel? Latest on Lakers' and Cavaliers' search - ESPN

With NBA draft and free agency just weeks away, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that the Los Angeles Lakers are targeting UConn's Dan Hurley to be the team's next head coach and are in the process of preparing a massive, long-term offer to bring him to the NBA. Discussions are set to escalate in the coming days, sources said.

After the Washington Wizards removed the interim tag and named Brian Keefe as their new head coach on May 29, just two teams — the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers — are without head coaches. For the Lakers and Cavs, it's about searching for a new voice to continue playoff and championship pursuits.

Mike Budenholzer's move to the Phoenix Suns' sideline came after the franchise fired Frank Vogel in early May. The Brooklyn Nets have already confirmed their decision, bringing in former Sacramento Kings assistant and current Canadian national team coach Jordi Fernandez to be their next coach. The Charlotte Hornets will tap Boston Celtics assistant Charles Lee for what sources told Wojnarowski will be a four-year deal.

Who will join them among new faces on the sideline next season? Here's the latest intel on the two remaining jobs, the top candidates and the challenges ahead for each franchise.

Los Angeles Lakers

2023-24 record: 47-35 (7th in the West; eliminated in the first round of the playoffs)

Previous coach: Darvin Ham (fired after two seasons)

Lead executive: Rob Pelinka (hired in 2017)

The state of the franchise: Since Phil Jackson retired after the 2010-11 season, the Lakers have made six coaching hires, with none lasting more than three seasons — including the only one to win a championship during that stretch, Frank Vogel. Under Ham, the Lakers reached the 2023