Dan Hurley turns down Los Angeles Lakers' $70 million contract and social media reacts
The Los Angeles Lakers wanted to make Dan Hurley one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. He turned them down.
According to multiple reports, Hurley declined a six-year, $70 million – or, $11.67 million per year – contract to stay in with the Connecticut Huskies' men's basketball team to try for a third consecutive national title. He had been the Lakers' top target.
Now, Los Angeles will have to pivot to their other options. ESPN reported that those options include former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego and former NBA player JJ Redick.
The Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham after he led the team to a 90-74 record over his two-year tenure. Los Angeles made the playoffs both years but lost to the Denver Nuggets in the conference finals last year. Denver also forced the Lakers into a first-round exit from the playoffs earlier this spring. Ham also helped lead the team to a win in the NBA's inaugural in-season tournament in December.
Hurley's decision to decline the Lakers' massive offer sent shockwaves across social media after the news broke. Here are some of the top reactions to the UConn coach's choice to stay with the Huskies.
DAN HURLEY: Salary, record, potential contract for UConn Huskies' men's basketball coach
Dan Hurley declines Lakers' contract offer: Social media reacts
Here's how sports analysts, internet personalities and fans reacted to Hurley's decision to stay at UConn on X (formerly Twitter).
DAN HURLEY DECISION: Huskies' head coach staying at Connecticut after meeting with Los Angeles Lakers about move to NBA
UConn assistant coach Luke Murray celebrated Hurley's decision with a GIF of Hurley himself.
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