Dan Hurley has reportedly turned down the opportunity to join the Los Angeles Lakers on a six-year contract worth $70 million.
The UConn coach passed on the opportunity to coach LeBron James and will instead remain with the Huskies as they look for a third straight national title.
The news was first reported by ESPNwho claim Hurley would have been one of the NBA’s six highest-paid coaches in Los Angeles.
The 51-year-old would have more than doubled his existing salary. In 2023, Hurley signed a six-year, $32.1 million contract with Connecticut.
He has never coached in the NBA and has been in charge of the Huskies since 2018, leading them to NCAA titles in both 2023 and 2024.
Dan Hurley has reportedly turned down the opportunity to join the Lakers on a six-year contract worth $70 million
The Lakers had been pursuing Hurley for several weeks. He reportedly traveled to LA on Thursday night before meeting with team officials on Friday.
Hurley told ESPN on Sunday that the NBA giants had made a “compelling case” and that he was “extremely impressed” with VP and GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss.
But the opportunity to win a historic straight NCAA crown proved too good to turn down. According to reports, UConn and Hurley will now continue discussions on a deal to make him one of college basketball’s highest earners.
Lakers will now be forced to look elsewhere, with JJ Redick – the co-host of James’ podcast – having one name linked to the job. Pelicans assistant James Borrego, meanwhile, has had two in-person interviews.
Los Angeles fired coach Darvin Ham last month after Los Angeles’ loss to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA playoffs.
The UConn coach passed up the opportunity to coach LeBron James and an NBA giant
According to ESPNLakers general manager Rob Pelinka told Ham about the team’s decision during a phone call.
Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, Redick and Clippers coach Ty Lue were among those initially believed to be the frame.
Ham led Los Angeles to the Western Conference finals less than a year ago in his first season as an NBA head coach.
He had replaced Frank Vogel, who was fired by the Lakers exactly 18 months after winning the franchise’s 17th championship in 2020.
