UConn basketball head coach Dan Hurley turned down a six-year contract offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to remain with the Huskies.
Earlier this week, he offered some details about his decision in a media session, while making it clear he did not actually reject the Lakers' offer to gain leverage with UConn. The two-time national championship-winning coach said he had already agreed to terms of a new deal with UConn before he declined the Lakers' offer.
He also said that his wife Andrea wasn't too thrilled about the idea, per Michael Cohen of Fox Sports.
“She wasn't happy about [the Lakers' interest] because we all love it here,” Hurley said. “And I mean, when you love it and you're so happy, you don't want that type of disruption, especially one that's special, like the Lakers. If it was a lesser opportunity, she wouldn't have reacted so emotionally. And then we handled it like adults. She considered it and weighed it and took the trip and factored in all the things that matter to us.”
Andrea spoke about her trepidation in the possibility of Dan taking the Lakers job, per WFSB.
“You know, in my head I’m saying to myself, like, we’re leaving. Like we just did this amazing thing that’s almost impossible to do, especially in this, this world of college basketball. And like, we’re just going to pick up and leave, like, we’re just, you’re just so good at this. Like, why? Why, like why?”
Will LeBron James opt out of Lakers' deal and become free agent?
Lakers superstar LeBron James has an opt-out this offseason and he could decide to become a free agent.
The team obviously hopes that James will opt into his player option and not hit the open market, but when discussing the situation, his agent Rich Paul recently referred to his top client as a free agent, indicating that he could be planning on declining his option.
Even though he is set to enter his age 40 season next year, James would have no shortage of suitors should he hit the open market. He is still an incredibly productive player on the court and a massive boost to business off of it. James, a household name, still sells out NBA arenas wherever he goes.
James put together another strong season with the Lakers this season (25.7 PPG, 8.3 APG, 7.3 RPG, 54 FG%), but with the rest of his team struggling, he could ultimately decide to move on this offseason as he attempts to win another title or two before he retires. LA simply may not have the assets needed to build a winner around him in James' eyes, which is another reason why this situation is so interesting.
Follow Us
Subscribe