Yahoo Sports Dan Hurley turns down Los Angeles Lakers' $70 million contract and social media reacts
The Los Angeles Lakers wanted to make Dan Hurley one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. He turned them down.
According to multiple reports, Hurley declined a six-year, $70 million – or, $11.67 million per year – contract to stay in with the Connecticut Huskies' men's basketball team to try for a third consecutive national title. He had been the Lakers' top target.
Now, Los Angeles will have to pivot to their other options. ESPN reported that those options include former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego and former NBA player JJ Redick.
The Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham after he led the team to a 90-74 record over his two-year tenure. Los Angeles made the playoffs both years but lost to the Denver Nuggets in the conference finals last year. Denver also forced the Lakers into a first-round exit from the playoffs earlier this spring. Ham also helped lead the team to a win in the NBA's inaugural in-season tournament in December.
Hurley's decision to decline the Lakers' massive offer sent shockwaves across social media after the news broke. Here are some of the top reactions to the UConn coach's choice to stay with the Huskies.
DAN HURLEY: Salary, record, potential contract for UConn Huskies' men's basketball coach
Dan Hurley declines Lakers' contract offer: Social media reacts
Here's how sports analysts, internet personalities and fans reacted to Hurley's decision to stay at UConn on X (formerly Twitter).
Hahahahah. #UConn https://t.co/AW2SB9TU37 pic.twitter.com/mIWTRuE5Bq
— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) June 10, 2024
It's almost like Dan Hurley leaked all of this through a trusted media source (who literally wrote a book on his dad) to secure himself an even bigger contract at UConn. Woj gets a big scoop, the Lakers get to say we tried, and Hurley gets a huge raise. Win. Win. Win. https://t.co/TYWvLS7c1J
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 10, 2024
Someone tell me if I'm wrong, but a six-year, $70 million contract does not seem like a massive offer in today's NBA to attract a top coach from a great situation. https://t.co/fn0kRUeXhG
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 10, 2024
Great for College Basketball https://t.co/z0ZeJEhkQw
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) June 10, 2024
DAN HURLEY DECISION: Huskies' head coach staying at Connecticut after meeting with Los Angeles Lakers about move to NBA
UConn assistant coach Luke Murray celebrated Hurley's decision with a GIF of Hurley himself.
— Luke Murray (@CoachLukeMurray) June 10, 2024
Dan Hurley had two choices:
1. Stay at a blue-blood college program where he’s had success and all the job security in the world
- OR -
2. Go to an underperforming NBA team with no future assets that’s had a revolving door of coaches
He made the right choice staying at UConn.— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) June 10, 2024
I mean, Dan Hurley turned down Kentucky and the Lakers in a single summer. They gotta build the statue ... tonight.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) June 10, 2024
One thing that can't be understated today?
How important Dan Hurley's decision was for the Big East.
League has won 4 of the last 8 national titles.
If Hurley went to LA, the two coaches that won those titles --- he and Jay Wright --- would both no longer be in the league. https://t.co/2yJrnLYBO6— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 10, 2024
Celebrate Connecticut. This day belongs to you: pic.twitter.com/5oKD1XixMs
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) June 10, 2024
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dan Hurley declines Lakers' contract offer and social media reacts
