From the quiet countryside in Storrs, to the bright lights of Los Angeles, Dan Hurley could be on the move.
The head coach of the UConn men's basketball program has flourished into one of the best coaches in the NCAA. Hurley and the Huskies completed their quest for back-to-back championships this past April, when UConn knocked off Purdue in the 2024 NCAA Championship in March Madness.
Following the second consecutive title win, it seemed like Hurley was destined to stay in Storrs. UConn signed him to a six-year contract extension in 2023, keeping him tied to the university through 2029.
However, recent developments have put his future with the Huskies in jeopardy. Hurley is reportedly in talks with the Lakers to take the head coaching vacancy on the staff that was left open following the dismissal of Darvin Ham. It would give him the chance to potentially team up with LeBron James and bring another championship to Los Angeles.
MORE: Why LeBron James and Dan Hurley could form a championship duo
What is the latest on the Lakers' rumor mill? The Sporting News is tracking all the news and updates.
Dan Hurley to Lakers rumors tracker
UConn has made a 'lucrative offer' to retain Dan Hurley
Date: June 8
Source: Adam Zagoria, NJ.com
UConn has reportedly made a "lucrative offer" to retain Hurley as its head coach, "but there's a cap that exists," a source told NJ.com's Zagoria.
“We want to pay him certainly what he’s worth, but there’s a limit to how far we can actually go just because of the political pressures and all of that,” the Zagoria's source said. “Even though everybody wants him to stay, and everybody’s behind it, I just think there’s a cap that exists.”
UConn's current offer is believed to make Hurley the third-highest-paid coach in college basketball behind Kansas' Bill Self and Arkansas' John Calipari, per Stadium's Jeff Goodman.
Lakers prepared to offer Dan Hurley a $100 million contract
Date: June 7
Source: Anthony Irwin, LakersDaily.com
Hurley was reportedly in Los Angeles to meet with the Lakers on Friday and his potential contract figures leaked.
Lakers insider Irwin reported that Los Angeles' offer is "ballpark of eight years, approximately $100 million." That is much larger than the six-year, $32 million contract Hurley is currently on with UConn.
Dan Hurley to meet with Lakers on Friday
Date: June 6
Source: ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday, June 6 that the Lakers and Dan Hurley are set to meet at some point Friday. The UConn head coach is traveling to Los Angeles to get together with Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss.
"The Lakers would love to get a deal wrapped up with Dan Hurley this weekend," Wojnarowski said. "I expect these talks will move quickly. There's a lot of traction here between Hurley and the Lakers, but they certainly have more talking to do about whether there's a fit here."
MORE: Why the Lakers are targeting Dan Hurley over JJ Redick
LeBron James hasn't talked with Lakers about Dan Hurley, any head coaching candidates
Date: June 6
Source: ESPN's Dave McMenamin
There may be assumptions that LeBron James is playing a major role in the next head coach of the Lakers, however, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that the superstar hasn't had any conversations with the team about the vacancy. That includes any discussions with the club about Dan Hurley or JJ Redick, the two names tied to the job most frequently.
Dan Hurley meets with players amid Lakers rumors
Date: June 6
Source: Fox Sports' John Fanta
Dan Hurley met with his UConn players before a practice Thursday, informing them that the talks with the Lakers are true, according to Fox Sports' John Fanta. Fanta reported that he "didn't want to hide the fact that this is real," but that for now, it's "business as usual."
MORE: What has LeBron James said about Dan Hurley's coaching?
Lakers targeting Dan Hurley as next head coach
Date: June 6
Source: ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski
A Woj bomb came out of nowhere early in the morning Thursday, June 6, as he reported that the Lakers are eyeing UConn head coach Dan Hurley as the team's next head coach. Los Angeles is reportedly preparing a "massive, long-term contract offer" to bring Hurley to the West Coast.
That contradicted reports suggesting Redick was a key target for the Lakers. Redick confirmed he would speak on that reporting, but would wait until after the NBA Finals, which he is broadcasting, to comment.
