The Lakers are forced to pivot in their head coachingsearch after UConn head coach Dan Hurley turned down a six-year, $70 million contract offer.
Hurley, who met with the Lakers last week, will return to UConn after he led the Huskies to back-to-back NCAA titles.
The Lakers will continue interviewing potential head coach candidates and hope to fill the position by the 2024 NBA Draft, which will take place at Barclays Center on June 26-27, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
James Borrego, an associate head coach of the Pelicans, former NBA guard JJ Redick and CBS Sports’ Jay Wright are in the mix, among others, according to multiple reports.
The Lakers thought Hurley was the “best available coach out there,” Wojnarowski said during an appearance on “SportsCenter” on Monday.
Hurley was already in talks with UConn about a new deal when he traveled to Los Angeles to meet with Lakers VP and GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss last week.
Hurley “already had a UConn offer to become one of highest paid NCAA coaches” prior to his meeting with the Lakers, sources told ESPN, adding that those talks will continue.
Hurley’s decision to return to Storrs came down chasing history in a pursuit for a third straight NCAA title, according to ESPN.
After his first national title win, Hurley agreed to a $32.1 million contract extension with UConn that runs through 2029.
