Lakers ‘are preparing massive long-term offer to UConn coach Danny Hurley’ after interviewing LeBron James’ podcast co-host JJ Redick for opening in LA
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly targeting UConn’s Dan Hurley to replace fired head coach Darvin Ham after interviewing other high-profile candidates, including LeBron James’ friend and podcast co-host, JJ Redick.
ESPN reports the Lakers are in contact with Hurley and discussions are expected to escalate in the coming days. Sources told the network’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Hurley β coach of the back-to-back national champion Connecticut Huskies β has been spearheading the Lakers’ coaching search and that the team is preparing a long-term offer.
The 51-year-old Hurley has previously expressed his goal of one day coaching in the NBA, and he may have a fan in James. In response to a podcast interview between Redick and Hurley, James shared his admiration for the Huskies coach on X: βHe is so DAMN GOOD!!! Together with his staff. Super creative with their O! Love it.’
Shams Charania of the Athletic previously reported that Redick was considered the favorite to land the Lakers job despite his inexperienced coaching. According to ESPN, Redick has already interviewed for the Lakers position, as have Charlotte Hornets assistant James Borrego, Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell and Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman.
Lakers spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for confirmation.
The Lakers are reportedly preparing to make a long-term offer for UConn’s Dan Hurley
Redick smiles during the game between the Denver Nuggets and the LA Lakers on March 2
The former Seton Hall guard, the son of Hall of Fame high school coach Bob Hurley Sr. and brother of former Duke star and NBA guard Bobby, has had his own meteoric rise through the coaching ranks. Since joining Wagner in 2010, Hurley has moved on to more prestigious jobs at Rhode Island and eventually Connecticut, where he won the last two national titles.
During 14 seasons as head coach, Hurley has compiled a 292-163 record while guiding his teams to six NCAA Tournament berths and a pair of conference titles. He was also named Naismith Coach of the Year for the 2023-2024 season.
Despite his success, Hurley’s revelation as a Lakers prospect β let alone favorite β comes as a surprise.
Redick’s proximity to James (they co-host the “Mind the Game” podcast) seemed to put him in a good position for the job, although Charania has reported that the four-time MVP is not involved in the recruiting process.
And even though Redick is his preferred candidate, James’ own future in LA is somewhat clouded. He is under contract, but has a player option for the 2024-2025 season, which gives him the right to become a free agent.
That’s significant because James’ son Bronny is one of the NBA prospects in this month’s draft, and the 39-year-old has indicated he would like to play alongside his namesake before he retires.
The Lakers are in a position to draft Bronny after the New Orleans Pelicans deferred their right to pick No. 17 in favor of LA’s 2025 pick.
Whether or not Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka would use that first-round pick on Bronny is anyone’s guess. Bronny, a McDonald’s All-American in high school, played sparingly at USC in 2023-24 after going into cardiac arrest last summer.
And if the Lakers pass on Bronny in the first round, they can hope to land him in the second round, incentivizing his father to stay in LA next season.