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The biggest news of the current times is that the University of Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley was approached by the Los Angeles Lakers to be their head coach. The Lakers had recently fired Darvin Ham and had reportedly put in an offer for $70 million to Hurley. Meanwhile, at UConn Hurley was only earning $32.1 million. While many thought that Hurley would accept the contract, Hurley did not.
The reason for Hurley rejecting the contract did not come to be publicly known. While many said it was because he wanted to script history with UConn by winning three titles in a row, others stated that he wanted to live on the East Coast near his family and relatives. However, Hurley recently came forward to put an end to all speculation and gave his side of the story that made him overlook the coveted coaching position. As per Hurley, it was his family whose decision he had to abide by.
Hurley made an appearance on the LeBatard Show and revealed what his family members chose for him. As per Hurley his dad, mother-in-law, and wife all voted for him to continue at UConn. He further added that his dad “did give his blessing to, uh, go out there with an open mind because it was too big of an opportunity” but he was team UConn. Hurley further supported his statements by revealing “I was done. I mean…It didn’t matter what I wanted,” Hurley said, via the LeBetard Show.
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There were also rumors that since the Lakers had not gotten any coach for a long time after Phil Jackson, Hurley was not cent percent sure of taking a leap and coaching the NBA team. Notably, after Jackson, the Lakers have had seven more coaches and none of them has stuck to the job.
Jackson too while leaving had revealed that he didn’t share the best of relationship with the Lakers’s management “When I leave here, I don’t anticipate Lakers management will call me up and ask my advice.” Possibly that could have been another reason, who knows. Meanwhile, the Lakers have found two candidates.
Los Angeles Lakers find two other candidates
As per reports, the two other candidates are JJ Redick and James Borrego. Reddick has been leading as per reports and he is expected to have an in-person talk near this weekend. And Borrego too is not far behind since he has experience of handling an NBA team as the head coach at Charlotte Hornets. Though he is currently the assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, Borrego presents with the possibility of having good player management skills- something that the Lakers need.
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via Getty
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 25: Former NBA player JJ Redick works for ESPN at Ball Arena on December 25, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
As per reports, Redick is said to be leading and the point guard might become the ultimate choice after Hurley turned down the offer. But still, it remains to be seen which coach the Lakers will hire.
Meanwhile, for Hurley he will coach the Huskies but also not give away opportunities to be at the NBA. He still has open doors and might make an entry into the cash-rich league in the future. “He thinks he’ll be in the NBA someday but he wasn’t ready to go now,” Adrian Wojnarowski stated.
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Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.