(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
After taking the weekend to consider the Los Angeles Lakers’ contract offer, head coach Dan Hurley announced on Monday that he would be staying at UConn rather than making the jump to the NBA level with one of the most iconic and successful franchises in professional sports.
Last week, it was reported that the Lakers were prepared to offer Hurley a long-term contract worth $100 million so that he could leave his job with the Huskies and become Darvin Ham’s successor in Los Angeles.
Even though Hurley has never coached a game at the NBA level, the 51-year-old’s success at the college level with one of the most prestigious programs in the country was enough to convince the Lakers to try to bring him in.
Unfortunately for the 17-time NBA champions, Hurley chose to decline the offer from the Lakers and stay with the Huskies a little while longer in hopes of winning a third straight National Championship with the school next season.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski gave a little insight into why Hurley decided to decline the Lakers’ offer and return to UConn, saying that he’s on the verge of a contract extension with the school.
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
Although Hurley was in a win-win situation here, he may have taken the best path, as he’ll have a chance to make history with UConn next season with a potential three-peat while not feeling the added pressure of coaching the Lakers and superstar LeBron James.
The question now is what do the Lakers do now that their top target is off the table.
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