LeBron James’ assessment of potential Lakers head coach Dan Hurley

Things move quickly in the world of sport and the NBA. Most the recent talk has suggested JJ Redick was the leading candidate to replace Darvin Ham as head coach of the LA Lakers, with the ESPN analyst cryptically referring to the chances of it happening earlier this week. However, a new name now appears to have entered the running and is reportedly the new front-runner - UConn coach Dan Hurley.

The 51-year-old has been in charge of the Huskies for six seasons, winning March Madness in both 2023 and 2024. And his achievements haven’t gone unnoticed by some of the biggest and best in the NBA, not least the Lakers and star man LeBron James.

According to Redick’s ESPN colleague Adrian Wojnarowski, Hurley is the new favourite to coach the Californians, who are preparing a “massive, long-term contract offer”. And that move would get 20-time NBA All-Star James’ backing, according to the same source.

What has LeBron James said about Dan Hurley’s coaching?

“As for the Lakers’ stars, LeBron James has been impressed with Hurley’s sophisticated offensive actions”, revealed Wojnarowski. “Assuming James returns to L.A. in free agency, the possibility of using the 55th overall pick in this month’s NBA draft on USC freshman guard Bronny James makes Hurley an even more intriguing candidate. If that happens, James gets a chance to play with his son and the benefit of Hurley and his staff becoming responsible for Bronny’s pro development.”

While it does appear as if LeBron will take up the final optional year of his Lakers contract, could the appointment of Hurley further convince him not to enter free agency? Perhaps, if his words on the Huskies coach in April are anything to go by.

“He’s so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their O! Love it” James posted on X in response to a recorded conversation of Hurley explaining his offensive strategy to - ironically - Redick.

In recent seasons, Hurley has turned UConn into one of the best college teams in modern history.  In this year’s March Madness, they won their six games with a point differential of +140, an all-time tournament record. The Huskies also have a 141-58 record in Hurley’s six years in charge, a win rate of 70.9%.