The Los Angeles Lakers want Dan Hurley, but does the UConn coach want them?
That is the big question floating around the NBA world on Thursday, as reports have said the Lakers are eager to offer Hurley a massive, multi-year deal to lead the team.
It’s hard to know exactly what Hurley is thinking but his recent actions indicate things could be moving forward.
According to John Fanta (via Evan Sidery), Hurley has “informed players at UConn he is talking with the Lakers about potentially becoming their head coach.”
This is proof that Hurley is seriously considering making this big career change.
Dan Hurley has informed players at UConn he is talking with the Lakers about potentially becoming their head coach, per @John_Fanta (https://t.co/Ur5wZHwFiZ).
If Hurley leaves, the transfer portal for UConn players would open for 30 days.
Hurley to LA is getting very real. pic.twitter.com/dbj7wL7hsN
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 6, 2024
Hurley is informing his players about his potential plans because they might want to move to another school if they lose him.
He is a vital part of the team’s chemistry and parting ways with him would be a huge blow to UConn.
But it could be exactly what Hurley has wanted for so long.
He has found great success coaching at the college level but has made no secret of his desire to possibly move to the NBA.
By taking a job with the Lakers, he wouldn’t just be entering the Association.
Instead, he’d be entering with one of the most historic franchises of all time.
It’s quite an opportunity but it will also come with a slew of challenges and sky-high expectations.
Hurley would be tasked with helping the Lakers win as soon as possible but also setting up a future for the team without LeBron James.
If Hurley had no interest in leaving UConn, he wouldn’t be telling his players that he was having talks with the Lakers.
The fact that he has opened up about what’s going on shows how serious discussions are getting.