"Don't fall for it": LeBron James' former teammate seemingly warns UConn HC Dan Hurley about accepting Lakers coaching offer

The news of Dan Hurley's potential hiring by the Los Angeles Lakers has mostly been met with positive responses from fans and experts. However, there are still a few who think that this job is not for Hurley and he is better off with the UConn Huskies.

Former Cleveland Cavaliers player J.R. Smith warned Hurley against taking up the role. He tweeted:

"@danhurleyuconn don’t fall for it!"

Smith played on the same team as LeBron James twice, once with the Cavaliers and again in LA in 2020, winning two championships.

Most concerns regarding Dan Hurley's hiring surround his ability to transfer his style from college to the NBA. People have drawn comparisons to Rick Pitino and John Calipari, who had brief stints in the NBA in the late 90s. Following poor performances, both coaches returned to the NCAA.

Rick Pitino thinks Dan Hurley will not take up the job with the Lakers

This is not the first time that Dan Hurley has been in the running for a marquee coaching job. In April, reports suggested that the Kentucky Wildcats were looking to hire Hurley after John Calipari left the job. However, the two-time NCAA championship coach dismissed all rumors claiming:

"Oh my God, Kentucky or anywhere that's going to take her further from New Jersey," Hurley said (via ESPN). "I mean, we just went to Rhode Island, which I had to drag her to, and then to Connecticut. I got her closer. And now further? I can't afford a divorce right now, too. I just started making money."

Rick Pitino believes that while Dan Hurley will make the jump to the NBA at some point, he won't take the job at LA. In an interview with the New York Post, Pitino said:

“What I’m hearing — and I have no (inside information) — is that his father (Bob Hurley Sr.) and his wife are very strong in his life and they don’t want to go.”

“I think he’s going to try it, no different than [John] Calipari tried it or I tried it,” said Pitino. “I don’t think he’s going to take the job, but I think he’s going to try the pros some day.”

For now, the Dan Hurley-LA Lakers situation is still in its negotiation stages as the coach and his agent are reported to meet with the Lakers brass on Friday. Reports have also come out that the Lakers are willing to offer Hurley a $100 million, eight-year contract.

What do you think of Dan Hurley's move to the NBA? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.