What LeBron James really thinks about Dan Hurley as the Lakers 'prepare shock move for UConn coach'

Connecticut head basketball coach Dan Hurley isn't hurting for fans these days. 

His Huskies have won the last two national NCAA national championships, effectively granting him free drinks across the Constitution State for the remainder of his life. 

He also has supporters in the NBA, where the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly preparing a 'massive' long-term offer for Hurley, sources have told ESPN. 

But before Hurley can swap Storrs for Tinseltown, there is the question of LeBron James' future with the team. He's under contract for the 2023-24 season at $51 million, although the 39-year-old could exercise his player option to become a free agent this summer. And that puts Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka in the precarious position of weighing the team's long-term goals against James' short-term plans. 

Fortunately for Pelinka, it turns out Hurley has another fan in the four-time MVP. 

Responding to an April podcast interview between Hurley and retired NBA guard JJ Redick, James shared his admiration for the Huskies coach on X.

'He's so DAMN GOOD!!!' James wrote. 'Along with his staff. Super creative with their [offense]! Love it.'   

James didn't specify what, specifically, he liked about the Huskies' offense, but in speaking with Redick, Hurley stressed the use of multiple sets by Connecticut. 

'We want to have eight to 10 different formations that we would have all these different wrinkles for,' Hurley told Redick. 

Hurley's motion offense at Connecticut has emphasized off-ball screens and largely ignores the pick and rolls, which has never been much of a focal point for James. 

'It's about creating mismatches, getting our guys in positions to succeed,' UConn assistant coach Luke Murray (the son of comedian Bill) told HoopsKing.com. 

As a result, Connecticut has ranked first and third in the country in adjusted offensive efficacy over the last two seasons, according to KenPom.com. 

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 enjoyed a 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. 

The Athletic's Shams Charania previously reported that Redick - James' friend and podcast co-host - was considered the favorite to land the Lakers job despite his 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. 

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. 

Of course, 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 hopes to play alongside his namesake before retiring. 

What's more, 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 first-round selection 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.

And James does have several connections with the Suns.    

In addition to assistant coach David Fizdale, whom he knows from his Miami days, James is long-time friend and former teammate of Suns GM 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  a veteran's minimum contract with the Suns, who are roughly $100 million over the salary cap.