Magic Johnson weighs in on Lakers considering Dan Hurley

February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Magic Johnson before the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Magic Johnson weighed in via social media on Thursday regarding the possibility of the Los Angeles Lakers hiring Dan Hurley as their next head coach.

A report on Thursday said that the Lakers were pushing to hire Hurley, who has won consecutive national championships as the head coach at UConn. Nothing is finalized, but the Lakers have been pursuing the Huskies head coach.

Johnson would definitely be thrilled if the Lakers were able to pull off the move.

“I heard the great news that Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss and GM/VP of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka have had conversations with back-to-back NCAA champion and current UCONN Head Coach, Dan Hurley, about becoming the next Lakers Head Coach!” Johnson wrote in a post on X Thursday.

“I’m so excited and thrilled! This would be a game changer for the Lakers organization, LeBron, AD, the rest of the Laker players, Laker Nation and the NBA! Coach Hurley can coach his butt off lol.”

I heard the great news that Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss and GM/VP of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka have had conversations with back-to-back NCAA champion and current UCONN Head Coach, Dan Hurley, about becoming the next Lakers Head Coach!

I'm so excited and thrilled! This would…

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 6, 2024

Johnson isn’t the only one who would back that hire. Current Lakers star LeBron James seems to be a fan of Hurley.

The question is if Hurley will really leave Storrs, Connecticut for Los Angeles.

Hurley has previously said that the idea of coaching in the NBA would intrigue him. But does he feel now is the time to go? Would his style — which includes riding players hard and demanding hardcore physical conditioning — work with professional players making millions of dollars? Would he even want to test that out? Or is he just angling for a pay raise?

We shall soon find out the answer to these questions. Johnson would definitely be disappointed if a deal didn’t materialize.