How Hurley Addresses Rumors Behind Rejecting Lakers: No Use as Negotiating Chip with UConn, No Contact with LeBron James

On June 14, it was reported that UConn head coach Dan Hurley turned down a six-year, $70 million deal from the Los Angeles Lakers. Some media outlets suggested that Hurley’s move was a tactic to leverage a better deal with UConn.

In a recent episode of “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz,” Hurley clarified that it wasn’t a “bidding war” strategy, as he had already agreed to new terms with UConn before engaging with the Lakers.

Hurley said on the show, “One of the worst things I’ve heard is that this was some sort of leverage play for me to improve my situation here at UConn. I don’t need leverage here. We’ve won two national championships in a row. For me, the Lakers’ offer was never a negotiation chip.”

“I had an agreement with the school weeks ago. The financial piece of the contract was signed off on some time ago. When it came to other aspects like net income, assistant salaries, and a few other things, I wanted adjustments because I wasn’t happy with those. But the idea that this was some conspiracy for me to get more out of UConn is just terrible.”

Hurley acknowledged that the Lakers might have offered an irresistible deal. However, he mentioned that his agreement with UConn (the details of which haven’t been publicly disclosed) would make him the highest-paid college coach in the country. He is currently under a six-year, $32.1 million contract with UConn. Bill Self of Kansas is currently the highest-paid coach with a salary of $9.6 million.

Last weekend, Hurley flew to Los Angeles to meet with General Manager Rob Pelinka and Owner Jeanie Buss, but he didn’t speak directly with the team’s superstar, LeBron James, before making his decision.

“I hadn’t [spoken to James],” Hurley said. “We’ve had previous conversations. … Coaching him would be exciting.”

Describing the difficult decision-making process, Hurley shared, “It was a painful weekend for me. Right up until I went to bed, I didn’t know what I was going to do.”

“Leaving could come down to [a number]. Staying in one place, I don’t think it’s ever about one thing, especially not at a place like UConn where money is not the issue.”

Later on Thursday, Hurley addressed the media at UConn’s Champions Center. He told reporters that the Lakers’ offer was “undeniably attractive,” but there were numerous reasons to stay at UConn.

“This wasn’t a ploy to become the highest-paid college coach. That was already settled. But leaving a place that feels like this, leaving the family connections with my wife, son, mother-in-law, and father – I know what this means to my dad.”

Hurley will return to a UConn team with a chance to win a third consecutive national championship, something the program hasn’t achieved since John Wooden led UCLA to seven straight titles in the 1960s and ’70s. Nevertheless, Hurley admitted that the Lakers’ offer was tempting due to their history and prestige.

“The opportunity to coach the Lakers, one of the greatest players of all time, one of the NBA’s best in Anthony Davis, lead a franchise with such a storied history, stand on the sidelines where legends like Pat Riley and Phil Jackson coached – that’s something I had to explore and consider,” Hurley said.