REPORT: UConn’s Dan Hurley heads to LA to meet with Lakers

STORRS, CT (WFSB)—According to a report, The Los Angeles Lakers are targeting University of Connecticut men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley.

On Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski posted on social media that the Lakers are preparing a massive, long-term contract to bring Hurley into the NBA.

Their pursuit of Hurley to become the franchise’s next head coach accelerated quickly, and according to reports, the sides have already been discussing a contract.

ESPN reported that Hurley was expected to meet with the Lakers in Los Angeles on Friday.

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Wojnarowski cited NBA sources that said “the Lakers have had preliminary contact with Hurley and sides are planning to escalate discussions in coming days. Hurley’s been at the forefront of the Lakers’ search from the beginning of the process, even while the organization has done its due diligence.”

Wojnarowski went on to post more from his sources that said that the Lakers’ Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss were eager to formally discuss their vision with Hurley. The vision included marrying Hurley’s dominant program, built upon both his tactical acumen and elite player development, to the storied Lakers’ brand.

UConn released a statement later in the morning. It said Hurley had no comment on the report.

Top coaches in the NBA make $15 million a year.

After winning the NCAA Tournament in 2023, Hurley signed a six year contract with UConn last June. It was for $5 million. At the time, that ranked him in the top 10 of highest paid coaches.

Then he won the second title this past April, and he and UConn had been working on yet another contract worth even more.

Hurley said back in April that maybe down the road “you can mature enough emotionally to much later in my career try to take a shot at the NBA.”

If he does leave UConn, the whole program could blow up. Players would have 30 days to transfer.

Fans across the state and politicians are hoping he stays. The team is strong again with Alex Karaban back and strong transfers and recruits.

“We have already in the budget this year put the money in to renovate the XL Center, put $80 million into Gampel Pavilion. Coach was very appreciative of that, I talked to him about that so we’re doing our part to try and keep the facilities first class,” said Marr Ritter, Speaker of the House (D - CT).

“His wife wants to stick on the East Coast and I’m thinking hopefully that will keep him around,” said Herman Casaol, UConn alum.

“Just stay with us. He likes to do this he’s fun to watch he’s awesome. Good luck with whatever he does,” said Donna Aleszcyk, UConn Merchandise Coordinator.

If Hurley leaves, the question becomes who will succeed him. It will be really hard for UConn, as most of the head coaching hires happened months ago.

Despite the strength and brand of the program, prying a coach away is going to take a big offer.

Also, when a head coach takes a new job, players get a 30-day transfer window to find a new school to play at for the fall.

At this point, it is too early to say who would be the next head coach of the Huskies.