Dan Hurley’s decision to turn down the Los Angeles Lakers and stay with UConn was the major story on Monday, and it prompted a whole host of answers.
Most of the takes were regarding how Hurley’s decision to stay was great for UConn. It was not lost on anyone that Hurley turned down Kentucky and the Lakers in the same offseason to remain in Storrs.
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
There is zero doubt in my mind Dan Hurley just re-created this scene in the UConn locker room. pic.twitter.com/6pnIHgKLhC
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) June 10, 2024
A number of viral posts, however, took aim at the Lakers. It wasn’t lost on many that Hurley would not exactly be walking into a better situation had he left for the NBA.
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
There were many questions about the Lakers’ six-year, $70 million offer to Hurley. A lot of observers were underwhelmed with that, suggesting that the Lakers would have needed to offer much more to tempt Hurley. Others noted that the offer was, at best, comparable to what Kentucky would have been willing to pay him, which did not tempt Hurley away from UConn.
Low balled Ty Lue
Gave Frank Vogel the worst roster for him
Hired Darvin Ham, a rookie HC
Low balled Dan HurleyTell me why Rob Pelinka deserves a job and why Jeanie Buss shouldn’t sell
— Josh 🍉 (@josh2saint) June 10, 2024
Letting Caruso leave and offering Hurley 6/70. Those are gigantic, blood red flags for being NBA management. And this doesn’t get into missing on Lue, all of the assets that walked for nothing. When will someone pay for this?
— Got ‘Em (@GotEm_Coach) June 10, 2024
The Detroit Pistons are paying Monty Williams $13 million a year and the Lakers thought offering Dan Hurley $11.6 was a “strong offer”
— Phill (@MeekPhill_) June 10, 2024
One thing is clear: Hurley is not leaving UConn anytime soon, and he probably wouldn’t go for anything but an elite situation. For the Lakers, it is back to square one, and faith in the organization to get the next steps right is pretty low.
