Dan Hurley responds to rumor that Lakers downplayed him with contract offer

For several days, it looked like Dan Hurley was going to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Gov. Jeanie Buss and CEO Rob Pelinka met personally with Hurley to discuss his candidacy and made him an offer that has since become a national talking point.

Even though Hurley would have become the fifth highest-paid coach in the NBA, some believe the Lakers underestimated their primary goal.

Hurley ultimately declined the Lakers’ offer of six years and $70 million. Had he accepted, only Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra and Monty Williams would have averaged a higher annual salary than Hurley, who has yet to coach an NBA game.

During an appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show, Hurley indirectly addressed the idea that the Lakers had shortchanged him with a $70 million offer over six seasons.

It’s worth noting that Hurley has been renegotiating his contract with the University of Connecticut since April, although he vehemently denies trying to use the Lakers as leverage.

Hurley, 51, led the Connecticut Huskies to back-to-back national championships. In 2024-25, he will look to help Connecticut become the first men’s college basketball team to achieve a three-peat since John Wooden led the UCLA Bruins to titles in every season from 1967-1973.

However, before deciding to return to UConn, Hurley was considered the ideal candidate to lead the Lakers to their own championship.

It’s possible that the Lakers could have offered Hurley more, thus convincing him to join the franchise. Money is hardly an issue in Los Angeles, and it’s understandable to see fans and pundits wondering why Buss wasn’t more willing to extend a bigger offer.

As true as that may be, it’s important not to lose sight of the type of business Hurley would have kept had he agreed to the six-year, $70 million deal.

Three of the four coaches who reportedly made more money per season than Hurley on average have won at least two NBA championships: Popovich, Kerr and Spoelstra. This decorated trio has a combined 11 titles and 18 NBA Finals appearances during their respective head coaching careers.

Hurley has dominated at the NCAA level but has yet to gain NBA experience. By paying him more than what he was offered, the Lakers would have put him on par with three of the greatest coaches in Association history.

It’s easy to lament what could have been, but maybe it’s as simple as Hurley wanting to return to UConn after all, even if there is an unknown number who could have convinced him to leave.