The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t get their man.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that UConn head coach Dan Hurley turned down the Lakers’ six-year, $70 million offer to become their new head coach, a deal that would have made him one of the six highest-paid head coaches in the NBA.
Hurley will instead return to the Huskies to pursue a third straight national title. Per Woj, the head coach “already had a UConn offer to become one of highest paid NCAA coaches and those talks will continue.”
So the Lakers search will continue, but not before social media has its fun:
Lakers fans hearing the Dan Hurley news
— Overtime (@overtime) June 10, 2024
Hey @Lakers pic.twitter.com/UEGiJm94Ja
— No Escalators (@NoEscalators) June 10, 2024
but I thought college sports was “dying” and “broken” beyond repair?!? https://t.co/GvsIkJ9Mxh
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) June 10, 2024
Dan Hurley turned down crazy money from Kentucky and the Lakers to stay at UConn and chase a threepeat. That’s an impressive level of commitment to “don’t mess with happy.” https://t.co/6SvIdCvMBw
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) June 10, 2024
Rob Pelinka: we can’t wait for next season
Dan Hurley: pic.twitter.com/LU6XwUtzIv
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) June 10, 2024
It’s almost like Dan Hurley leaked all of this through a trusted media source (who literally wrote a book on his dad) to secure himself an even bigger contract at UConn. Woj gets a big scoop, the Lakers get to say we tried, and Hurley gets a huge raise. Win. Win. Win. https://t.co/TYWvLS7c1J
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 10, 2024
Teams get second choices all the time but imagine that next Lakers conversation with JJ/Borrego/whoever. “So, uh, we really like you for this job …”
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 10, 2024
Nice job by the Lakers trying to steal the spotlight from the Celtics and Mavericks.
… and then end up embarrassing themselves instead.
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) June 10, 2024
Long tradition of NCAA coaches getting raises via flirting with the Lakers, not especially surprised by the decision
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) June 10, 2024
The Lakers are really one of the top global sports brands and are REALLY being run on some “well how are we gonna keep the restaurant open after dad and mom aren’t around anymore” vibes
— Mike Guardabascio (@Guardabascio) June 10, 2024
JJ Redick to the Lakers right now pic.twitter.com/yt83pa9UtM
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) June 10, 2024
Since winning the bubble title, the Lakers have fired two head coaches, undergone multiple roster constructions—including the ill-advised, massive failure that was the Russell Westbrook experiment—and arguably squandered the final years of LeBron James’ career.
Yes, last season included a trip to the Western Conference Finals, but only after the team survived the Play-In Tournament. The Denver Nuggets promptly swept the Lakers and then knocked them out of the playoffs in five games during this year’s first round.
Because the Lakers have the duo of James and Anthony Davis, they should always be in the mix, at least for a playoff berth. But what becomes of this franchise once James retires?
This franchise went six straight seasons without a playoff appearance before the 2019-20 title. The Lakers have never quite gotten it right since. Failing to land Hurley after a very public pursuit feels like another major misstep for the organization at a time when their hated rivals, the Boston Celtics, are two wins away from another title.
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