LeBron James recently made a social media comment about Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley, and in a surprising twist, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly preparing a massive, long-term contract offer for Hurley. This unexpected move has fans buzzing with excitement.
“He’s so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their O! Love it,” tweeted James on April 19, 2024.
James’ praise came just 11 days after Hurley led the Huskies to their second consecutive national title, defeating Purdue 75-60. This endorsement was in response to a video of JJ Redick interviewing Hurley on the podcast “The Old Man & The Three.” Ironically, Redick has been rumored to be a frontrunner for the Lakers’ coaching gig for weeks.
Financial Implications and Dan Hurley Contract Details
Spotrac detailed the financial ramifications of Hurley potentially leaving UConn for Los Angeles:
- Hurley signed a 6-year, $32.1 million extension with UConn last summer.
- A $1.875 million fee is required for him to leave for an NBA job.
- Hurley reportedly received an offer of $10-12 million per year from Kentucky.
- Top NBA head coaches reportedly earn between $14-17 million per year.
Hurley had previously shut down talks about the then-vacant University of Kentucky position, asserting his commitment to Connecticut. However, the opportunity to coach in the NBA and lead a storied franchise like the Lakers presents a different kind of allure.
The Allure of the Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers, tied with the Boston Celtics for the most NBA titles at 17, last won the championship in the “Bubble” in 2020. Joining the Lakers would mean Hurley could coach LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and potentially LeBron’s son, Bronny. Moreover, there’s a significant chance James could recruit other big names to Los Angeles for however much longer he stays with the franchise.
Hurley is currently on top of the college basketball world, and few head-coaching positions could surpass his current role. However, leading the Lakers might be one of those rare opportunities.
Kendrick Perkins’ Criticism of LeBron James
Amidst these developments, former teammate Kendrick Perkins accused LeBron James of hogging the spotlight during the 2024 NBA Finals. Perkins criticized James for diverting media attention away from the Celtics and Mavericks, who were competing for the championship.
“Here we go again: ‘Bron weaseling his way into somebody else’s moment,” Perkins said on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” “This is not about you. Your team [the Lakers] is at home. This is about the Mavs and the Celtics.”
Perkins referred to comments James made about Kyrie Irving on the “Mind the Game” podcast, expressing regret that he was no longer Irving’s teammate. Irving, meanwhile, was taken aback when the media questioned him about James during his NBA Finals press conference, highlighting how James managed to stir up a media storm.
Donovan Mitchell’s Commitment to the Cleveland Cavaliers
In other NBA news, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers stated he has “no choice” but to stick with the team. This declaration comes amid various rumors and speculations about his future in the league.
The Lakers’ interest in Dan Hurley, combined with LeBron James‘ cryptic social media praise, adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing NBA coaching carousel. As fans and analysts alike await further developments, the potential for Hurley to transition from college to the NBA and lead the Lakers remains a captivating narrative in the world of basketball.
Source: Yardbarker
