The Los Angeles Lakers have kept themselves busy in the weeks following their playoff embarrassment. Several head coaching candidates – James Borrego, Sam Cassell, JJ Redick, and more- have been called for personal interviews to fill the vacancy left behind by Darvin Ham’s firing. The build-up over the course produced a common notion, LeBron James’ podcast mate and former NBA player JJ Redick would take the helm. It was all that the media could talk about. But it seems the Lakers, despite claiming it wasn’t their intention, are factoring Bronny James in their plans.

According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski via ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers are negotiating a long-term deal with UConn head coach, Dan Hurley. Reportedly during practice on Thursday, he informed his players that was listening to what Rob Pelinka, Jeanie Buss, and Co. had on offer. The veteran general has coached the Huskies for six seasons. In that time, he has cultivated a culture of success within the college’s basketball program, which is recognized as one of the top programs in the country. He led the Huskies to a consecutive NCAA championship this season, the first time it has been done in 17 years.

Hurley is an excellent player development coach and is revered for his ability to dissect the game. His leadership saw UConn post the highest point differential (140 points) in NCAA tournament history. The hope is this – Hurley not only helps refine the Lakers offense centered around Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but he also assists the development of Bronny, the 19-year-old son of the Akron Hammer. If he drops to the second round, it is believed the Lakers will use their 55th pick to draft the USC product.

This update comes only days after Shams Charania revealed the Lakers are “zeroing in” on JJ Redick, as the franchise’s next head coach. However, Hurley has a resume bright enough to sway even the most storied of franchises. His domineering run with the Huskies places him amongst the greatest NCAA masterminds. The question is- Can his tactful genius be just as effective in the NBA?

Dan Hurley has the pedigree to transform the Lakers

What Hurley did with the Huskies this season was unprecedented. He orchestrated an offense that enabled them to annihilate not just their division, but any college, irrespective. During the NCAA Championship game, Purdue was viewed as a genuine threat to the Huskies. They had Zach Edet after all, a traditional center who had claimed the paint to be his own with his fantastic footwork.

Edey managed to punish Hurley’s UConn too. He had an enormous stat line – 37 points and 10 rebounds in the NCAA Finals. Typically, that would be enough to seal a title. Just not against a generational offense captained by Hurley. They beat Purdue by 15 points to successfully defend their status as the ruling kings of the NCAA.

Hurley has the innate instincts and imperious impulses that the Lakers desperately need. They don’t have the most daunting-looking roster. However, they have raw and potential-filled players such as Austin Reaves who can majorly benefit from Hurley’s unmatched ability to develop players. He managed to conquer the college basketball landscape. Now it might be time for him to step foot into the world of professional basketball with a franchise most coaches see as their dream.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow in what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.