Dan Hurley, the UConn men’s basketball coach, is at the center of a significant move by the Los Angeles Lakers. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are preparing a massive contract offer for him, making him one of the hottest coaching talents in college basketball sought after by the NBA.
Hurley has been the prime target for the Lakers since the beginning of their head coach search, with both parties engaging in preliminary discussions about a potential deal.
Dan Hurley’s Stellar College Career
Dan Hurley has made a name for himself by leading UConn to back-to-back national championships, making him the most sought-after coach in college basketball. Despite receiving offers from other top collegiate programs, Hurley has remained loyal to UConn. After their second consecutive national title win in April, Hurley stated his dedication to coaching college basketball in Storrs but did not completely rule out an NBA future.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Appeal
If Hurley has aspirations to coach in the NBA, the Lakers’ offer might be too enticing to ignore. Wojnarowski reports that the Lakers’ management views Hurley as the ideal candidate to handle the roster-building challenges posed by the current collective bargaining agreement. They also believe he can play a crucial role in developing their young talents like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie.
The support from LeBron James, who has the option to become a free agent this summer, further boosts Hurley’s candidacy. LeBron has openly praised Hurley’s coaching prowess.
Dan Hurley’s Coaching Journey
Hurley has been at the helm of UConn since 2018, boasting an impressive overall record of 141-58 with the Huskies. Before his tenure at UConn, he served as the head coach at Rhode Island for six seasons and Wagner for two years. His success in college basketball is undeniable, but the rapidly changing landscape of the sport has taken its toll.
Source: Yardbarker
