In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers have shifted their focus to UConn’s Dan Hurley as their top candidate for the head coaching position, reportedly due to former NBA player JJ Redick’s reluctance to take on the role.
According to insights from NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are poised to extend a significant, long-term contract offer to Hurley in an effort to lure him away from his successful coaching tenure at Connecticut.
Initial discussions between Hurley and the Lakers have already commenced, with plans to escalate negotiations in the coming days.
During a segment on Undisputed, Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce suggested that Redick’s disinterest in the Lakers coaching job prompted the franchise to pivot towards Hurley, despite previous reports favoring Redick. “I think JJ didn’t want the job,” Pierce said.
Sports analyst Skip Bayless echoed Pierce’s sentiments, indicating that he doesn’t doubt the accuracy of previous reports from The Athletic identifying Redick as the frontrunner.
Bayless speculated that upon learning about the inner office politics of coaching the Lakers, Redick may have opted to decline the opportunity, leading to Hurley’s sudden emergence as the top candidate.
Key decision-makers within the Lakers organization, including Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss, are eager to articulate their vision to Hurley and integrate his winning strategies into the team’s framework.
With his notable achievements, including consecutive national championships at Connecticut, Hurley brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the table.
Hurley’s remarkable success during the 2023-24 season, culminating in numerous titles and accolades, has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim.
