A few days ago, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley was being heavily considered to be the next Los Angeles Lakers head coach.
The rumors intensified in the coming days, as Hurley setting a deadline on making his decision. Now, Hurley has made his decision clear: he will be staying with the Huskies in order to pursue a three-peat at UConn.
Wojnarowski is hearing it from Lakers fans online today:
GRADS – “Woj really tried to bury Shams and put out this fluff that Danny Hurley was really coming to LA. I stayed quiet because I know how much yall can’t stand me but I knew it was all BS. Woj getting tired of Shams running LAPS around him so he did this.”
Frank Jewett – “Best part was claiming the Lakers had wanted Hurley all along, but kept it a secret, followed by the revelation that they had never met with nor made Hurley an offer despite allegedly coveting him for a month. Apparently it was kept secret from Hurley, too.”
Your_Boy_OC – “I smelled it since the beginning woj set this all up he’s never had inside lakers connects he definitely told rob to hit up Hurley he knew about UConn’s extension”
Light – “Woj and JJ work for the same network so it was gonna be awkward to announce him”
Artel Cato – “Sooo basically @ShamsCharania was right all along, @wojespn just tried to steal the spotlight and in the meantime get his buddy Hurley paid at UConn. JJ Reddick is the next coach but they have to wait until the Finals is over to announce. #LakeShow”
Mr. Opinionated – “Fought the unfair smear game. Lol did it on a Friday too so it could drag a few days. Seeming Woj only he knew about the Lakers potentially interviewing. They threw massive dirt on Shams just to be used a leveraged bait. Classic”
Prior to Wojnarowski's original Hurley report, Shams Charania of The Athletic had reported that the Lakers were closing in on JJ Redick to be their next head coach. So, when Woj's report came out, fans were quick to thrash Shams on social media, with some going as far to claim that Wojnarowski had somehow tricked Charania into believing that Redick was LA's top target.
Dan Hurley spurns Lakers to return to UConn
Hurley turned down a reported six-year/$70 million offer from the Lakers and instead will return to the Huskies in pursuit of a third-straight National Championship.
Despite ultimately deciding not to sign, it appears that Hurley was strongly considering the Lakers job while also being offered a new contract by UConn.
Hurley's decision to bow out of the Lakers coaching job race does not imply that Redick will be getting the job. There are other factors to consider, such as Redick's lack of experience in the role. Still, LA would have loved to have the UConn basketball coach's experience on their bench. Where they go now remains to be seen.
The Lakers are expected to speak to Redick and James Borrego as they look to regroup and find their next head coach.
Follow Us
Subscribe