Hurley met with UConn players about link to Lakers' HC job

Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Hurley met with UConn players about link to Lakers' head-coaching job

By Jeff Smith | Last updated Jun 6, 2024 3:46 PM ET

On the morning of Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals featuring the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics, it was the Los Angeles Lakers who made headlines.

As the franchise's search for its next head coach continues, a major curveball came on Thursday. As ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported, the Lakers are preparing a "massive, long-term offer" for Connecticut Huskies basketball coach Dan Hurley.

Wojnarowski reported that Hurley is "the target of their search" and that he's been the target "since the beginning." He also noted that the two sides have already spoken and that the conversations are expected to escalate.

Reporting for @SportsCenter on the Lakers accelerating talks with UConn coach Dan Hurley pic.twitter.com/BSuIYK8YCx
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 6, 2024

Hurley, who's led UConn to back-to-back championships over the last two seasons, is among the hottest names in college basketball.

While the report itself was noteworthy, the situation escalated even more when John Fanta of Fox Sports reported that Hurley met with players at UConn on Thursday morning to confirm he had been in talks with the Lakers.

Dan Hurley met with his players at UConn this morning and informed them he's been in talks with the Lakers, a source tells Fox Sports. Hurley didn't want to hide the fact that this is real. Huskies have a noon practice and Hurley told his players it's business as usual for now.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) June 6, 2024

It's a wild turn of events, as the Lakers had been linked to former NBA player-turned-analyst JJ Redick and current New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego frequently in recent weeks. So much so that the belief was that Redick was in a position to become a likely hire for the Lakers.

With Hurley now entering the conversation, things could get interesting quickly, especially if Hurley's interest in an NBA head-coaching job is strong enough for him to make the jump immediately and leave the two-time defending champs.

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith has extensive experience as a sports writer and editor, including stops at ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, USA TODAY SMG, and Heavy. Jeff's passion for sports content starts and finishes with writing and he's grateful to be able to work in that field on a daily basis.

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