Dan Hurley caused a stir when he turned down a six-year, $70 million offer from the Lakers to become their next coach.
The deal was worth more than double what Hurley is currently earning, but he chose to stay at UConn instead.
Now, as the dust settles following the initial news, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has provided details on exactly why Hurley turned down the Lakers' offer.
Breaking down UConn coach Dan Hurley's decision to transfer the Lakers @nothefakeSVP pic.twitter.com/Hva71IVENV
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 11, 2024
Woj spilled the beans in an interview with SportsCenter's Scott Van Pelt on Monday night.
“A couple of things, Scott, starting with a chance to win a third straight national championship, is doing something that hasn't been done since John Wooden's Bruins,” Wojnarowski said. “You probably won't get the chance to do that again as a head coach.”
“But I think it's time to go to the NBA… I think he thinks that one day he'll be in the NBA, but he wasn't ready to go yet.”
Van Pelt then suggested that the NBA's extreme demands might be another possibility.
“Hurley is a guy who grinds everything he has,” Van Pelt said. “I just wondered about the magnitude of what the NBA needs from you. And did he have gear? In other words, I'm talking about the ability to not digest all of the court's possessions in one Tuesday night in Memphis. You know what I'm saying? Do you think part of that stayed with him?”
Wojnarowski strongly agreed.
“You're right, Scott,” she said. “And I think that comes down to being prepared when I'm 51. And it's not just, you know, that Tuesday night in Sacramento or Memphis, but it's practices. With the referee. It's working with managers, something you don't have to do as a college coach. He is the GM.”
For now, it's back to the drawing board for the Lakers, as their coaching search continues.
JJ Redick and James Borrego are both reportedly under consideration for the job.
READ MORE: Lakers' Failed Pursuit of Dan Hurley Called 'Disappointing'
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