The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly targeting UConn’s Dan Hurley to replace fired head coach Darvin Ham following interviews with other well-known candidates, including LeBron James’ friend and podcast co-host JJ Redick.
ESPN is reporting The Lakers are in contact with Hurley and talks are expected to intensify in the coming days. Sources told the network’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Hurley, coach of the back-to-back national champion Connecticut Huskies, has been at the forefront of the Lakers’ coaching search and the team is preparing a long-term offer.
Hurley, 51, has previously stated his goal of being an NBA coach one day, and he may have a fan in James. In response to a podcast interview between Redick and Hurley, James shared his admiration for the Huskies coach on X: “He’s so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with his O! I love it .’
The Athletic’s Shams Charania previously reported that Redick was considered the favorite to land the Lakers job despite his inexperience as a coach. Redick has already interviewed for the Lakers job, as have Charlotte Hornets assistant James Borrego, Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell and Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman, according to ESPN.
Lakers spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for confirmation.
The Lakers are reportedly preparing to make a long-term offer to UConn’s Dan Hurley.
Redick smiles during the game between the Denver Nuggets and the LA Lakers on March 2
Son of Hall of Fame high school coach Bob Hurley Sr. and brother of former Duke star and NBA guard Bobby, the former Seton Hall guard has had his own meteoric rise through the ranks of the coaches. Since he took the job at Wagner in 2010, Hurley moved on to more prestigious jobs in Rhode Island and, eventually, Connecticut, where he won the last two national titles.
Over 14 seasons as a head coach, Hurley has compiled a 292-163 record while leading his teams to six NCAA Tournament berths and a pair of conference titles. He was also named Naismith Coach of the Year for the 2023-24 season.
Despite his success, Hurley’s revelation as a Lakers candidate, much less a favorite, is a surprise.
Redick’s proximity to James (they co-host the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast) appeared to put him in good position for the job, although Charania has reported that the four-time MVP is not involved in the hiring process.
And even if Redick is their preferred candidate, James’ future in Los Angeles is somewhat cloudy. He is under contract, but has a player option for the 2024-25 season, which gives him the right to become a free agent.
This is significant because James’ son Bronny is among the NBA hopefuls in this month’s draft, and the 39-year-old has expressed his desire to play alongside his namesake before retiring.
The Lakers are in position to select Bronny after the New Orleans Pelicans deferred their right to the No. 17 pick in favor of choosing Los Angeles in 2025.
LeBron James already expressed his admiration for UConn coach Danny Hurley’s offense
Whether or not Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka would use that first-round pick on Bronny is anyone’s guess. Bronny, a McDonald’s All-American in high school, played sparingly at USC in 2023-24 after suffering cardiac arrest last summer.
If the Lakers pass on Bronny in the first round, they could hope to get him in the second at No. 55, thus incentivizing his father to remain in Los Angeles next season.
But that strategy could come with some risks because the rival Phoenix Suns are reportedly considering drafting the 19-year-old with the 22nd pick.
“The Suns are hoping to pursue LeBron James this offseason, which is why Bronny James is a very serious draft option at 22nd overall to potentially lure him in,” NBA insider Evan Sidery wrote in X. “Phoenix looks believe that they can do it.” convince LeBron to join forces with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to create a historic superteam.
That report reinforces another from Charania, who told the Run It Back FanDuel television show that Bronny plans to coach for the Suns, in addition to the Lakers.
James already has several connections with the Suns.
In addition to newly hired assistant coach David Fizdale, whom James knows from his days in Miami, the Suns front office is led by his former Heat and Cavaliers teammate James Jones.
Additionally, James has played with Booker and Durant on Team USA, giving him some familiarity with the Suns’ high-scoring offense.
Even James’ agent, Rich Paul, has connections to the Suns in the ex of another client, Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic.
But before James can start looking for a home in Maricopa County, it’s worth noting that he would have to give up about $50 million by opting out of his deal and signing in Phoenix on a veteran’s minimum contract.
