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Dan Hurley reaches decision on Los Angeles Lakers contract offer, per report
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Dan Hurley was the man of the hour on Monday with the basketball world waiting to find out his final decision on his coaching future.
Coming off back-to-back national titles at UConn in dominant fashion, Hurley was heavily pursued by the Los Angeles Lakers to make the jump to the NBA and coach the prominent franchise. He met with the top decision-makers of the franchise over the weekend, and the Lakers reportedly made a massive offer to try and lure Hurley away from the Huskies.
However, the push by Los Angeles was not enough, according to ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski. According to his report, Hurley is turning down a 6-year, $70-million deal to return to UConn, a contract that would have made him one of the 6 highest-paid coaches in the NBA.
BREAKING: Connecticut’s Dan Hurley has turned down the Los Angeles Lakers’ six-year, $70 million offer and will return to chase a third straight national title, sources tell ESPN. LA would’ve made him one of NBA’s six highest paid coaches. pic.twitter.com/hEXo3o00SR
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2024
Wojnarowski also reported Hurley was already engaged in contract talks at UConn to become one of the highest-paid coaches in the country. While a new deal has not been reported, the contract talks will continue.
As swept away as Hurley became by the Lakers courtship and vision for him, he ultimately couldn’t walk away from a chance to make history and pursue a third straight NCAA title. Even before Lakers talks, Hurley already had a UConn offer to become one of highest paid NCAA coaches…
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2024
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Impact on college basketball
The impact for the Huskies cannot be overstated with back-to-back titles under Hurley all while churning out some elite NBA Draft prospects. Even with some of those departures, keeping Hurley in town maintains the current roster and a strong incoming recruiting class.
UConn signed a trio of high school players in the 2024 recruiting class, including 5-star forward Liam McNeeley and 4-star guard Ahmad Nowell. That group gives UConn the 10th recruiting class in the nation per the 247 Sports Composite.
Hurley and his staff have also found some key reinforcements via the transfer portal. Aidan Mahaney (St. Mary’s) and Tarris Reed Jr. (Michigan) give the Huskies some experienced replacements for some of the veteran pieces that contributed to the national title runs.
On a broader level, keeping Hurley at UConn is also a win for college basketball. Love him or hate him, Hurley is a superstar coach that brings much-needed energy and flavor to the college game.
Now, the rest of the country can keep the target on Hurley and his Huskies as he chases history and a 3rd consecutive national title.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
