Lakers 'are preparing massive long-term offer to UConn coach Danny Hurley' after interviewing LeBron James' podcast co-host JJ Redick for opening in LA

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly targeting UConn's Dan Hurley to replace fired head coach Darvin Ham following interviews with other well-known candidates, including LeBron James' friend and podcast co-host, JJ Redick.

ESPN is reporting the Lakers are in contact with Hurley and discussions are expected to escalate in the coming days. Sources told the network's Adrian Wojnarowski that Hurley – coach of the back-to-back national champion Connecticut Huskies – has been at the forefront of the Lakers' coaching search and the team is preparing a long-term offer. 

The 51-year-old Hurley has previously stated his goal to coach in the NBA some day, and he may have a fan in James. Responding to a podcast interview between Redick and Hurley, James shared his admiration for the Huskies coach on X: 'He’s so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their O! Love it.'

The Athletic's Shams Charania previously reported that Redick was considered the favorite to land the Lakers job despite his coaching inexperience. Redick has already interviewed for the Lakers position, as has Charlotte Hornets assistant James Borrego, Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell and Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman, according to ESPN. 

Lakers spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for confirmation.  

The son of Hall of Fame high school coach Bob Hurley Sr. and brother of former Duke star and NBA guard Bobby, the former Seton Hall guard has had his own meteoric rise through the coaching ranks. Since taking the job at Wagner in 2010, Hurley has moved on to more prestigious jobs at Rhode Island and, ultimately, Connecticut, where he won the last two national titles.

Over 14 seasons as a head coach, Hurley has compiled a record of 292-163, while guiding his teams to six NCAA Tournament berths and a pair of conference titles. He was also named the Naismith Coach of the Year of the 2023-24 season. 

Despite his success, Hurley's revelation as a Lakers candidate - much less the favorite - comes as a surprise. 

Redick's proximity to James (they co-host the 'Mind the Game' podcast) appeared to put him in good position for the job, although Charania has reported that the four-time MVP is uninvolved in the hiring process. 

And even if Redick is his preferred candidate, James' own future in LA is somewhat clouded. He's under contract, but has a player option for the 2024-25 season, giving him the right to become a free agent. 

That's significant because James' son, Bronny, is among the NBA hopefuls in this month's draft, and the 39-year-old has stated his desire to play alongside his namesake before retiring. 

The Lakers are in position to draft Bronny after the New Orleans Pelicans deferred their right to the No. 17 pick in favor of taking LA's pick in 2025. 

Whether or not Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka would use that first-round pick on Bronny is anyone's guess. A McDonald's All-American in High School, Bronny played sparingly at USC in 2023-24 after suffering a cardiac arrest last summer.

If the Lakers do pass on Bronny in the first round they could hope to land him in the second at No. 55, thereby incentivizing his father to remain in LA next season. 

But that strategy could come with some risks because the rival Phoenix Suns are reportedly considering drafting the 19-year-old with the No. 22 pick. 

'The Suns are hoping to pursue LeBron James this offseason, which is why Bronny James is a very serious draft option at No. 22 overall to potentially lure him in,' NBA Insider Evan Sidery wrote on X. 'Phoenix appears to believe they can convince LeBron to join forces with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to create a historic superteam.'

That report bolsters another by Charania, who told the Run It Back FanDuel TV show that Bronny plans to work out for the Suns, in addition to the Lakers.

James already has several connections with the Suns.    

In addition to newly hired assistant coach David Fizdale, whom James knows from his Miami days, the Suns' front office is led by his former Heat and Cavaliers teammate, James Jones.

Furthermore, James has played with Booker and Durant on Team USA, giving him some familiarity with the Suns' high-scoring offense.

Even James' agent, Rich Paul, has connections to the Suns in the former of another client, Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic.

But before James can start house hunting in Maricopa County, it's worth noting that he would have to surrender around $50 million by opting out of his deal and signing in Phoenix on a veteran's minimum contract.