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On the other hand, doesn't this increase the probability that Hurley is using this as leverage in negotiations with Benedict?
Going to the Lakers for LeBron's last ride is super high-risk, high-reward for a first time NBA coach. If he wins a title, he's a HOF lock and a legend.
If he faceplants, he could be out of the league and take a while to get a second chance, and there's a decent chance of that.
My gut feeling is he's using this as leverage for a contract here and will go to the NBA eventually, but not for at least another handful of years. Remember, Billy Donovan won back to back, was courted by the NBA, even took the Magic job at one point before reneging, and ultimately coached at Florida 8 years after his second title.
Its entirely possible he takes the offer, but it's also the case that everything we've seen so far is consistent with both sides going through the exercise for leverage.
The other impression I get is that Hurley is really enjoying being "wined and dined" and he deserves it. That isn't to say he wouldn't seriously consider the offer, but there's something to be said for him relishing this experience in itself and sees being courted in this way as a reward in itself.
Yes, I think he recognizes that being courted by the Lakers and turning them down would elevate his personal brand and that of UConn to legendary status. There is no downside to him doing what he's doing, even if he's currently leaning towards staying.
It seems much more (or, at worst, equally) likely that Hurley has been working with Benedict for months, there were hurdles outside either of their control, and Hurley is using this as leverage to help both himself and Benedict get there with the powers that be.
Um, or it's taking time to iron out the revised UConn offer.
Appropriate level of relaxed (and of shelling out money) for a guy who's getting a big raise at his current gig.
My head canon/theory is that AD Dave knows exactly what he's doing and the hold-up to getting a new Hurley contract in place is above his head.
He tacitly supported Hurley listening to the Lakers' interest in the guise of "hey, I need an earth-shattering competing offer in hand in order to get our people to move on this."
Hurley went through the dog and pony show, got the Lakers offer, with the intention of using it as leverage to help Benedict jolt the powers that be into finishing his new UConn contract with some urgency. If he were really blown away he might take it, but I think both he and Benedict know that the play is almost certainly to get a beefier contract here.
Hurley, again with tacit approval from Benedict, has played coy in order to keep the powers that be uncomfortable and eager to finish the deal.
I'm just going to leave all these here.This has been my read from the beginning and nothing I've seen so far is inconsistent with it.
That's not to say it's impossible for him to leave (indeed, the actions we've seen so far aren't inconsistent with that outcome either), but nothing is contradicting my prior that this was first and foremost a play for leverage (and maybe a little well-deserved flattery).