UConn coach Dan Hurley is set to meet Friday with L.A. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and President and GM Rob Pelinka as the team “would love to get a deal wrapped up this weekend,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on air.
“Hurley knows Rob Pelinka. They have spent time together in the past, they have talked basketball,” Woj said. “But this will be his first time meeting with Jeanie Buss and certainly the Lakers would love to get a deal with Dan Hurley wrapped up this weekend. I expect these talks will move quickly. There is a lot of traction here between Hurley and the Lakers, but there’s certainly more talking to do about whether there’s a fit here.”
The Lakers are targeting the Jersey City native and former Seton Hall guard with a “long-term” and “massive” offer to become their next head coach, “and they are going to make it very hard for Dan Hurley to say no,” Wojnarowski reported Thursday morning on SportsCenter.
Reporting on the Dan Hurley/Lakers talks for NBA Countdown with @malika_andrews pic.twitter.com/NwwK1Qaluq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 7, 2024
A Connecticut-based TV reporter attempted to interview Hurley coming out of UConn practice on Thursday, but was unable to get close to him due to a UConn staffer running interference. The reporter shot video of Hurley driving away from campus in a black truck.
Here’s what happened when #UConn head coach #DanHurley left the practice facility this afternoon. I attempted to ask the national champ for comment regarding reports of his talks with the LA Lakers. 🏀
This athletic department member blocked close access to Hurley.@WTNH pic.twitter.com/gZ5OUdG5M7
— Tim Harfmann (@TimHarfmannTV) June 6, 2024
UConn has a chance to become the first team since UCLA to three-peat in college basketball, but it remains unclear who will be coaching the team next season.