UConn’s Dan Hurley is meeting with the Lakers regarding their head coaching vacancy on Friday. L.A. is reportedly going to offer Hurley a “significant” contract in terms of both years and salary.
A source close to Hurley tells Jeff Goodman of The Field Of 68 (via Twitter) that it’s “50-50” whether the 51-year-old accepts the job or returns to the Huskies in pursuit of a third consecutive national championship.
According to Goodman (Twitter links), UConn has an offer extended to Hurley that would make him the third-highest paid college coach in the country, behind only Bill Self and John Calipari. However, there’s an expectation that the school’s offer will likely pale in comparison to what the Lakers will put on the table.
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, former president of basketball operations Magic Johnson was enthusiastic about the prospect of the Lakers hiring Hurley, as Chuck Schilken of The Los Angeles Times relays (subscriber link).
Here’s more from the Pacific:
- Howard Beck of The Ringer argues that Hurley shouldn’t be viewed as a risky candidate despite never coaching at the NBA level. The Lakers‘ top target has admirers around the NBA, such as longtime assistant Ron Adams, who is currently with the Warriors. “I think he’s a marvelous coach,” Adams said of Hurley. “He comes from a tremendous basketball family. … I think his skill set is excellent for coming into the pros. … I know a lot of people will say, ‘Well, he’s a really demanding coach.’ Well yes, and that’s going to be a strength in the pros. You may have to dress it up differently, but that will be a strength of his if he’s good with people and good at bringing out the best version of a player. That’s going to work in the pros, too.”
- USC guard Bronny James, who is ranked No. 53 on ESPN’s big board, had a strong showing during a workout with the Suns on Wednesday, sources tell Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Villanova guard Mark Armstrong and West Virginia guard Raequan Battle also impressed Phoenix during the group workout, according to Rankin. The Suns hold the No. 22 pick in this month’s draft.
- Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports examines five big men the Suns could target with their first-round pick, including Baylor’s Yves Missi and Indiana’s Kel’el Ware.
- The Kings hosted a pre-draft workout on Wednesday featuring Weber State’s Dillon Jones, Creighton’s Trey Alexander, Pitt’s Carlton Carrington and Miami’s Kyshawn George, a league source tells Brenden Nunes of Sactown Sports 1140. Sacramento controls the No. 13 and No. 45 picks in the 2024 draft. George (No. 19) and Carrington (No. 20) are projected first-round picks, according to ESPN, while Jones (No. 48) and Alexander (No. 65) are potential second-rounders.
Does Lakers FO talk about basketball in their first meeting with Hurley today or is it all about selling LA and discussing celebrities like they do in their pitches to players?
Highly likely
Hurley gets contract 6 years $100 million with Lakers
So now the Lakers need to decide if the Suns are serious about taking Bronny or hope he drops to the 2nd round? This is like a good poker game and see if its a bluff or not.
Seems like James Jones is doing his buddy LeBron a solid
Bronny shouldn’t even be drafted. He’s not good + is a health risk. Those types gotta find their game in Europe first before coming here.
Lebron has assurance from 1 nba team bronny will be drafted or bronny would not be in the draft.
Somebody forgot to hide your lithium in the jello this morning huh? Tin foil hat a little too tight maybe.
Still upset?
He was a projected 1st round pick and possibly lottery before his heart attack. One shouldn’t read into much into his college stats as he spent his lone college season playing himself back into shape.
He’s young, has some talent and is coachable. He had a decent showing at the combine and his workout with the Suns was good. Most scouting reports I’ve read have no problem with drafting him but state that anyone who does needs to be patient. He projects to be a disruptive defender with passing chops. If his jumper ever starts dropping then he’ll be golden.
The suns shouldn’t take him unless they can buy a late second rounder however.
If it were a typically talented draft you are correct. But by this draft class’s standards, he’s pretty good.
What’s everybody’s take on whether Anthony Davis can handle getting yelled at in practice?
…for reference, here’s a copy/paste link to Dan Hurley’s assessment of his coaching style in his own words.
If Hurley comes over, AD will be traded and LeBron walks. He’ll want to build it back up his way and not with fragile veterans.
I think your sentiment is spot on and there will be times you will not want to be anywhere near enough to catch wind of a “Hurley Halftime.”
Trade LeBron and AD for Mitchell and Mobley
The Lakers should walk away from lebron and bronny. Build around Davis. Bring in Hurley.
Alot of air time for how irrelevant and poor this roster is. Same as yesterday, doesn’t matter what you do if you bend the knee to the king. Man the lakers stink. Anything on the finals, LOL.
The Mavs got crushed. Other than what type of adjustments the Mavs need to make there’s not much to talk about there. If you want analysis go to The Ringer or ESPN.
This is a rumors site. The possibility of a high profile NCAA coach that just won back to back championships coming to the Lakers would understandably take precedence.
Nothing to talk about except……Nothing takes precedence over the finals, It’s what all are playing for. Doesn’t need a high profile coach linked to the Fakers for air time, JJ anyone. Doesn’t matter what this team does if Bron gets his way, I secretly like the laker articles anyways. It’s a chance for laughs and joy and I can make statements like, you guessed it…..man Lakers stink.
More articles about which coach the 7 seed lakers are going after!
I don’t get how Hurley fits the Lakers at all. He said himself he would love to coach a young NBA team where he can build culture and a championship pedigree.
Lakers already have that and they’re one of the oldest teams in the NBA.