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Post by radylady on Jun 6, 2024 8:22:41 GMT -5
Hurley offer from LA?
The Los Angeles Lakers are targeting UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley as the franchise's next coach and are preparing a massive, long-term contract offer to bring the back-to-back NCAA national champion to the NBA, sources told ESPN.
The Lakers have had preliminary contact with Hurley and the sides are planning to escalate discussions in the coming days, sources told ESPN. Hurley has been at the forefront of the Lakers' search from the beginning of the process, even while the organization has done its due diligence interviewing several other candidates, sources said.
Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka and governor Jeanie Buss are eager to formally discuss with Hurley their vision of marrying his dominant program -- built upon both his tactical acumen and elite player development -- with the storied Lakers brand, sources said.
Hurley, 51, has often described his ambition to one day coach in the NBA and has expressed to the Lakers a desire to explore the full picture of a partnership with one of basketball's winningest franchises, sources said.
The pursuit of Hurley comes on the 20th anniversary of the Lakers trying to hire then-Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski to a record-breaking contract in 2004. Krzyzewski elected to remain with the Blue Devils, but the climate has dramatically changed in college athletics. The demands of NIL fundraising for non-power football schools like UConn are an especially relentless grind -- and expected to become even more difficult.
As for the Lakers' stars, LeBron James has been impressed with Hurley's sophisticated offensive actions. Assuming James returns to L.A. in free agency, the possibility of using the 55th overall pick in this month's NBA draft on USC freshman guard Bronny James makes Hurley an even more intriguing candidate. If that happens, James gets a chance to play with his son and the benefit of Hurley and his staff becoming responsible for Bronny's pro development.
In a social media post responding to a podcast interview with JJ Redick, James posted on X about Hurley: "He's so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their [offense]. Love it."
The Lakers have been committed to making All-NBA forward Anthony Davis a significant part of the conversation on the next head coach and want to make sure that he's aligned with how a new coach plans to feature him on both offense and defense, sources said.
The Lakers have had several interviews with other candidates, including New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, Redick, Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell and Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman, sources said. The Lakers have proceeded with conversations with other candidates over the past few weeks, but the potential of landing Hurley has been the focus of the Lakers' search, sources said.
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Part of the allure of Hurley traces back to the changing landscape of NBA roster building under the collective bargaining agreement. Because of the roster-building limitations of the new second apron, the ability of big-market teams to construct contending rosters by trading multiple draft picks and young players for a third star player has largely been eliminated. Beyond the 17th overall pick in this month's draft, the Lakers have a young core of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Max Christie that management believes can still show even greater improvement under Hurley's coaching, sources said.
After historically dominant back-to-back national title seasons, Hurley has emerged as the most coveted coach in the sport -- and the possibility of him leaving UConn and the Big East Conference for the Lakers has massive implications for both college basketball and the NBA. Hurley has constructed a juggernaut that has lapped the sport -- culminating with the NCAA's first repeat champion in 17 years and a tournament performance that produced the biggest point differential in tournament history: 140 points.
The possibility of UConn winning a third straight title does loom with the return of a preseason top-five team, but the Huskies did lose two lottery picks (center Donovan Clingan and guard Stephon Castle) and a first-team All-America point guard (Tristen Newton) to the NBA draft.
The Lakers dismissed coach Darvin Ham after a first-round exit in the Western Conference playoffs. Ham was 94-70 in two seasons -- including a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2023.
Hurley is 141-58 (.709) in six seasons as the UConn coach -- and holds an NCAA tournament record of 12 consecutive double-digit victories. A son of Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley Sr. -- for whom Hurley played for at famed St. Anthony High School of Jersey City, New Jersey -- Dan Hurley spent nine years as a high school coach at St. Benedict's Prep before rapidly rebuilding college programs at Wagner and Rhode Island. His older brother, Bobby, is the head coach at Arizona State.
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Post by radylady on Jun 6, 2024 8:23:55 GMT -5
There should be a link, but I posted the whole article.
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Post by UConnChapette on Jun 6, 2024 11:01:27 GMT -5
I would hate to see Hurley go, but damn, how do you pass up the Lakers?
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Post by bulkey on Jun 6, 2024 14:13:14 GMT -5
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Post by radylady on Jun 6, 2024 20:58:36 GMT -5
I would hate to see Hurley go, but damn, how do you pass up the Lakers? You just do. COach K did it, and had a very successful career at Duke. I loved watching that team during those years |
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Post by huskyharper on Jun 7, 2024 22:24:31 GMT -5
He's already making millions, so I doubt it would be for the money. He'd be a fool to leave UConn now, but also a fool to not listen to the Lakers pitch. If Andrew were still an undergrad on the team, I'd say no way in hell, but now it's really up to him, his wife and the kind of life they want to lead. I sure hope it's the college life.
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Post by magic on Jun 8, 2024 10:36:57 GMT -5
His father passed up many a big time job offer, but remained doing what he loved coaching HS. But, according to sources Lakers are offering a huge amount of money. I heard a ridiculous amount this morning. As I grew older , where I live and my privacy is way more important than money.
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Post by radylady on Jun 8, 2024 10:49:51 GMT -5
His father passed up many a big time job offer, but remained doing what he loved coaching HS. But, according to sources Lakers are offering a huge amount of money. I heard a ridiculous amount this morning. As I grew older , where I live and my privacy is way more important than money. He would be totally screwing UConn if he left as well. At this time, how would the school find and vet quality candidates for the next season, and I keep thinking of the loyalty of the team as well to their coach. It is and I believe it to be very strong. They can carry on to another coach, but Hurley would leave shoes too big to fill IMO. |
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Post by bulkey on Jun 8, 2024 11:05:14 GMT -5
My money is on the money for 2 reasons.
1. He's not going to be offered a great salary. He's going to be offered generational wealth. Something like a foolproof 7 years (to outwait the 2 aging superstars) @ $15M/yr
2. It's gotten far harder to manage a roster in MCBB with one-and-done than the long term contracts in pro ball. Travel during the season is a lot, lot worse in pro ball, but recruitment in MCBB is never ending.
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Post by linkster on Jun 8, 2024 12:13:03 GMT -5
If coaching is what he wants to do then he'll stay at UConn. Pro coaches spend a lot of time massaging egos. And from what I've seen, a conflict between a star and the head coach usually results in the coach being let go, not the player.
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Post by justinesguy on Jun 8, 2024 14:46:24 GMT -5
I would hate to see Hurley go, but damn, how do you pass up the Lakers? There’s 100 million reasons to go lol. |
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Post by ucchamp on Jun 8, 2024 19:38:54 GMT -5
I slightly lean toward he’ll take the money. It’s life-changing. However, I believe if he does,’there is a good chance after year 2 or 3 he’ll be gone. The Lakers superstars are old. Davis usually breaks down. LeBron is no longer dominant. Plus Hurley might have to babysit the son. He doesn’t “need” this.
When he came to UCONN he didn’t win right away- it took time. LA probably will only give him a few years. So eventually everything would be contingent upon FA pickups, They need a sensational FA eventually, but they need it quick. Otherwise patience is not a strong suit for the Lakers. And the fans paying top dollar for tickets won't be so amused by Hurley after a while unless he wins a lot.
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Post by bulkey on Jun 8, 2024 20:08:57 GMT -5
Latest "rumor" is 8 years for $100M. Not sure that's enough to get him. If I were the LA GM and really wanted to nail him, I'd offer $150M and that would do the deal. But Lakers will pivot to Redick if he turns them down, so that may cap how much they'll offer Dan. So, I'm slightly more optimistic he'll stay now. UConn is going to pay him $5.3M under the new contract. They can always get donors to kick in a million or two more to make it close enough.
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Post by ucchamp on Jun 8, 2024 20:47:31 GMT -5
Latest "rumor" is 8 years for $100M. Not sure that's enough to get him. If I were the LA GM and really wanted to nail him, I'd offer $150M and that would do the deal. But Lakers will pivot to Redick if he turns them down, so that may cap how much they'll offer Dan. So, I'm slightly more optimistic he'll stay now. UConn is going to pay him $5.3M under the new contract. They can always get donors to kick in a million or two more to make it close enough. I thought it was more too. |
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Post by semper on Jun 9, 2024 4:57:11 GMT -5
Babysitting Bronny will NOT be fun.
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Post by bulkey on Jun 9, 2024 8:03:27 GMT -5
Babysitting Bronny will NOT be fun. That's why the only conceivable inducement besides the money is a long term, no-fire contract that allows him to outlast his aging stars and let one of their offspring experience natural consequences. If they are serious about getting back to the Pat Reilly days, and if they want to throw money around like the Dodgers have, then that is what it might take. |
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Post by grrrrr on Jun 9, 2024 8:15:09 GMT -5
If coaching is what he wants to do then he'll stay at UConn. Pro coaches spend a lot of time massaging egos. And from what I've seen, a conflict between a star and the head coach usually results in the coach being let go, not the player. The owner sides with the star every time, because the owner is the one who wanted the star to begin with. |
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Post by grrrrr on Jun 9, 2024 8:18:51 GMT -5
Babysitting Bronny will NOT be fun. That's why the only conceivable inducement besides the money is a long term, no-fire contract that allows him to outlast his aging stars and let one of their offspring experience natural consequences. If they are serious about getting back to the Pat Reilly days, and if they want to throw money around like the Dodgers have, then that is what it might take. Hope he's considering how his coaching style will work with veteran players, that's a lot of intensity for such a long season. |
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Post by linkster on Jun 9, 2024 12:19:24 GMT -5
I'm hoping that Hurley is just using a likely Lakers offer as a bargaining tactic.
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Post by linkster on Jun 9, 2024 13:22:34 GMT -5
His father passed up many a big time job offer, but remained doing what he loved coaching HS. But, according to sources Lakers are offering a huge amount of money. I heard a ridiculous amount this morning. As I grew older , where I live and my privacy is way more important than money. At UConn he is a coach. In LA he is a celebrity and part of the entertainment industry. Coaching would be a small part of how he earns the extra money he would make. "So is the money you make worth the price that you pay?" |
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Post by radylady on Jun 9, 2024 14:21:50 GMT -5
Truth is we are not going to know until we know. I know someone (on another page) mentioned that he always wanted to coach the pros and maybe he is motivated by the challenge of getting those guys to buy into his coaching style. He is a gifted man, clearly, and this is the point that I am stuck on...the challenge of getting all of those big dollar dunkers to buy into his system - has to be tempting. But I don't know the man's appetite for hubris. He takes a big risk upon himself to take the job, and then not do well. Does he need more time in the NCAA before making the jump? Maybe. He has the secret sauce firmly being served at UConn, a no slouch school in the NCAA despite the ring a round the conference game we've been forced to play...break up the big east - idiots - you want to talk about bad decisions? So, there you go. BTW, here is the article re Coach K's offer from the NBA. I perused it when it first was posted, now have the time to muddle into it. COACH K said NO to the NBA |
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Post by swash on Jun 9, 2024 15:30:36 GMT -5
Truth is we are not going to know until we know. I know someone (on another page) mentioned that he always wanted to coach the pros and maybe he is motivated by the challenge of getting those guys to buy into his coaching style. He is a gifted man, clearly, and this is the point that I am stuck on...the challenge of getting all of those big dollar dunkers to buy into his system - has to be tempting. But I don't know the man's appetite for hubris. He takes a big risk upon himself to take the job, and then not do well. Does he need more time in the NCAA before making the jump? Maybe. He has the secret sauce firmly being served at UConn, a no slouch school in the NCAA despite the ring a round the conference game we've been forced to play...break up the big east - idiots - you want to talk about bad decisions? So, there you go. BTW, here is the article re Coach K's offer from the NBA. I perused it when it first was posted, now have the time to muddle into it. COACH K said NO to the NBAThe Big East didn't want to break up. Miami, BC, Syracuse, Louisville, and ND filed for divorce. |
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Post by radylady on Jun 9, 2024 17:27:29 GMT -5
Truth is we are not going to know until we know. I know someone (on another page) mentioned that he always wanted to coach the pros and maybe he is motivated by the challenge of getting those guys to buy into his coaching style. He is a gifted man, clearly, and this is the point that I am stuck on...the challenge of getting all of those big dollar dunkers to buy into his system - has to be tempting. But I don't know the man's appetite for hubris. He takes a big risk upon himself to take the job, and then not do well. Does he need more time in the NCAA before making the jump? Maybe. He has the secret sauce firmly being served at UConn, a no slouch school in the NCAA despite the ring a round the conference game we've been forced to play...break up the big east - idiots - you want to talk about bad decisions? So, there you go. BTW, here is the article re Coach K's offer from the NBA. I perused it when it first was posted, now have the time to muddle into it. COACH K said NO to the NBAThe Big East didn't want to break up. Miami, BC, Syracuse, Louisville, and ND filed for divorce. Not important, though the BIG EAST did break up regardless of how. This issue is Hurley. |
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Post by UConnChapette on Jun 9, 2024 20:03:02 GMT -5
Truth is we are not going to know until we know. I know someone (on another page) mentioned that he always wanted to coach the pros and maybe he is motivated by the challenge of getting those guys to buy into his coaching style. He is a gifted man, clearly, and this is the point that I am stuck on...the challenge of getting all of those big dollar dunkers to buy into his system - has to be tempting. But I don't know the man's appetite for hubris. He takes a big risk upon himself to take the job, and then not do well. Does he need more time in the NCAA before making the jump? Maybe. He has the secret sauce firmly being served at UConn, a no slouch school in the NCAA despite the ring a round the conference game we've been forced to play...break up the big east - idiots - you want to talk about bad decisions? So, there you go. BTW, here is the article re Coach K's offer from the NBA. I perused it when it first was posted, now have the time to muddle into it. COACH K said NO to the NBAThe Big East didn't want to break up. Miami, BC, Syracuse, Louisville, and ND filed for divorce. And then UConn and Richard Blumenthal didn’t take it well, got nasty and the ACC took out a figurative restraining order, which apparently is still being enforced. Back to Hurley. I wonder how much influence his wife would have on his decision? Would she be happy moving to the bright lights of the big city and all the glitz and glam? Or is she more of a small town girl? I suspect we will know something tomorrow. |
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Post by radylady on Jun 9, 2024 20:53:22 GMT -5
Rumor has it that she IS still a small town girl.....
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