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Dan Hurley Says NBA Isn’t a Fit Right Now as He Reflects on Turning Down Lakers

He says online blowback after the Luka Dončić trade reinforced his decision to stay at UConn.

Overview

  • On The Zach Lowe Show, Hurley said Lakers fans flooded his messages calling him the “biggest moron” after the team landed Luka Dončić.
  • Hurley rejected a reported six-year, $70 million offer from Los Angeles in 2024 and later signed a multi-year extension to remain UConn’s coach.
  • He said his intense, hands-on approach “isn’t necessarily a fit” for the NBA’s star-driven dynamic at this stage of his career.
  • After Hurley declined, the Lakers hired JJ Redick, traded for Dončić in February, finished 50-32, and Dončić has since signed an extension.
  • Hurley admitted he watched more Lakers games than in years and noted a 2023 call with Rob Pelinka that made the job appealing, as UConn went 24-11 and exited in the Round of 32.