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Dan Hurley beamed with pride on Wednesday night leading into the 2024 NBA Draft. UConn’s coach attended the event as two of his former players, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, were expected to be called early in the draft. Hurley was with Castle when the San Antonio Spurs selected the defensive ace No. 4.
The two-time NCAA basketball champ also did the same for Clingan when the towering center was taken by the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 7. LA Lakers fans couldn’t stand the smiling figure of Hurley during the event.
Laker Nation vented its ire on Hurley on X, formerly Twitter.
“Surprised his wife let him go considering the draft is in Brooklyn NY and not Stors CT”
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One fan wondered out loud:
“why is he in the interview LMAO”
Another fan shared the extent of his emotions:
“I’m sayin almost punched my screen”
A third fan commented about the depth of his anger:
“S**t pissed me off”
The LA Lakers approached Dan Hurley early this month to offer him the head coaching job. GM Rob Pelinka reportedly offered him a six-year, $70 million contract to guide LeBron James and Co. next season. UConn’s head bench tactician, however, turned down the Lakers, hinting that he would have agreed if the offer was more substantial.
In an interview with Dan Le Batard, he was asked about the financial return that would have prompted him to accept the job. Hurley responded:
"To say that it's not a motivating factor – the finances –to leave a place, it's definitely a thing. … To leave all that behind, there probably is a number. I don't know what that is.”
To bring in Dan Hurley, the Lakers probably had to make him one of the top five earners among NBA coaches. The $70 million offer wouldn’t give him that status. It wasn't surprising Laker Nation was salty seeing him smiling and talking to reporters on Wednesday.
The LA Lakers eventually found their coach following Dan Hurley’s snub
Once Dan Hurley informed the LA Lakers of his decision to stay in Connecticut, the team moved quickly to its next option. GM Rob Pelinka re-engaged JJ Redick, offering the former ESPN analyst to take the job that has been vacant since Darvin Ham was fired. Redick agreed, giving the Lakers their new playcaller for at least next season.
During his press conference, Redick emphasized that he understood why the Lakers went after Dan Hurley. LeBron James’ co-host in the “Mind the Game” podcast mentioned that Hurley’s resume made the UConn leader an ideal choice. Redick added that his feelings or ego was not “bruised” during LA’s pursuit of Hurley.
JJ Redick has embraced his new role as the LA Lakers’ new coach and has no ill feelings toward Dan Hurley. Apparently, sections of Laker fandom are not as forgiving as Redick.
