NBA insider makes bold predictions for Lakers amid Dan Hurley coaching job rumors: "Don't be shocked if Edey and Bronny are their two draft picks"

With the news of the Lakers' impending appointment of UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley as their next coach, implications of the hire are already filtering through. Attention has turned to the two potential draft picks by the franchise, with USC Trojans guard Bronny James and Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey emerging as favorites.

NBA insider Brett Siegel linked the two college basketball prospects to the Lakers on X, speculating that if the Lakers hire Hurley, the two will end up as the No. 17 and No. 55 pick the franchise holds.

"Should the Lakers hire Dan Hurley this weekend, do not be shocked if Zach Edey and Bronny James are their two draft picks," Siegel tweeted.

The case for Dan Hurley picking Zach Edey and Bronny James

There is merit in the assertion that Zach Edey and Bronny James could end up being the two picks for the Lakers if they hire UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley.

When reporting the news of the impending appointment of Hurley by the Lakers on an episode of "Get Up," ESPN analyst Adrian Wojnarowski gave a background on why the coach was being considered vis a vis Bronny James's future at the franchise.

“The idea that you would have Danny Hurley as the leader of the developmental program for Bronny James, I think that has a lot of value for that organization,” Wojnarowski said.

Bronny James already declined pre-draft workouts with over 10 teams. He only accepting offers from the Phoenix Suns and the LA Lakers.

In April, during an appearance on "The Herd" podcast, Hurley sang the praises of Purdue Boilermakers' star Zach Edey and gave a window into how his NBA future should ideally pan out.

"If Zach Edey is not like a lottery pick and a tremendous NBA player, then there's something wrong with the NBA," Hurley said. "Then maybe they're not playing the right game at that level. This guy has been dominant, bringing it back to Ralph Sampson, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson type of performances at that spot."

Zach Edey has been the most outstanding player in college basketball for the past two seasons and, having won the admiration of Hurley, would not be the worst pick in the draft for the Lakers.

Bronny James could hold the key to keeping LeBron James as a Lakers player, and at No. 55, he would possibly be an acceptable trade-off for the UConn Huskies coach as he seeks to tip off his tenure in a positive fashion.