The Los Angeles Lakers are eyeing UConn Men’s Basketball director Dan Hurley as the franchise’s next coach, and are working on an enormous, long-term contract offer to lure the back-to-back NCAA national champions to the NBA sources told ESPN.

The Lakers have made preliminary conversations with Hurley and both parties plan to intensify discussions over the next few days sources said to ESPN. Hurley has been a major player in the Lakers search since when the search began although the organization has conducted its due diligence in interviewing others, the sources told ESPN.

Lakers Vice president of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka and governor Jeanie Buss would like to formal talk to Hurley their plans to marry his legendary program — based on his strategic acumen as well as his exceptional player development with the legendary Lakers brand, sources told.

Hurley 51 has frequently spoken of his desire to eventually become a become a head coach of his career in the NBA and has also expressed to the Lakers an interest in exploring the possibilities of a collaboration with one of basketball’s most successful franchises, according to sources.

Hurley stated to UConn players during practice on during practice on Thursday, saying that Lakers have contacted him and he was listened to what they wanted to say, according to sources.

The search for Hurley coincides with the 20th anniversary celebration of the Lakers seeking to sign Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski to a record-breaking contract in 2004. Krzyzewski chose to stay as a coach with his team, the Blue Devils, but the conditions have drastically changed in the college sports arena. The requirements for NIL fundraising for non-power football schools like UConn are a constant grind and they are likely to become more challenging.

In terms of the Lakers players, LeBron James has been impressed by Hurley’s innovative offensive tactics. If James will return to L.A. as a free agent the possibility of using the 55th selection in the upcoming NBA Draft for USC freshmen guard Bronny James is what makes Hurley an even more interesting possibility. If this occurs, James gets a chance to play alongside his son and has the added benefit that comes with Hurley and his staff being the ones responsible for Bronny’s professional development.

In a post on social media in response to a podcast interview featuring JJ Redick James wrote his thoughts on X concerning Hurley: “He’s so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their [offense]. Love it.”

James hasn’t had any discussions with the Lakers regarding Hurley or Redick or the search for a coach on a general basis an insider with knowledge of the situation revealed to the ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Thursday. James through his representatives have made it clear that the Lakers should make the decision that is best for the team and he’s aware and considerate that the Lakers have to decide on the coach that will remain on the team for the duration of the time he plays.

The Lakers have committed in making the All-NBA player Anthony Davis a important part of the discussion regarding the next head coach. They are keen to ensure that he is in line with the way the new coach is planning to use him on offense as well as defense, according to sources.

The Lakers have held multiple interviews with potential candidates such as New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, Redick, Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell and Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman, according to sources. The Lakers have had conversations with other potential candidates in the last few weeks, but the possibility of getting Hurley was the primary center of the Lakers hunt sources told.

The attraction of Hurley dates back to the evolving environment of NBA roster creation in the context of the Collective bargaining Agreement. Due to the limitations on roster building of the new second apron the ability of teams in big markets to build competitive rosters by trading draft picks as well as young players in exchange for a third-star player has been mostly removed. Beyond the 17th selection in the draft this month, the Lakers have an emerging core of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Max Christie that management believes could improve even more under Hurley’s guidance according to sources.

After two historically strong national championships, Hurley has emerged as the most sought-after coach in the game -and the prospect of him departing UConn as well as the Big East Conference for the Lakers will have huge implications for basketball in college and the NBA. Hurley has built an unstoppable juggernaut that has swept the game — and culminated in the first NCAA time in the span of 17 years and the tournament that had the largest ever difference in the number of points scored at a tournament 140 points.

There is a chance of UConn winning a third consecutive title is a possibility with the emergence of a top five team in the preseason However, the Huskies have lost two lottery selections (center Donovan Clingan and guard Stephon Castle) as well as one teammate on the first All-America player ( Tristen Newton) to the NBA draft.

The Lakers have fired coach Darvin Ham following a first-round defeat of the Western Conference playoffs. Ham had a 94-70 record in two seasons. He also earned an appearance in the Western Conference finals in 2023.

Hurley has a record of the record holder for 141-58 (.709) during his six seasons as coach at UConn coach. He also is the holder of the NCAA championship record with 12 straight wins by double digits. He is the brother of Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley Sr. -who Hurley was a player at the famed St. Anthony High School located in Jersey City, New Jersey Dan Hurley Dan Hurley spent nine years as the high school director at St. Benedict’s School, before quickly re-building colleges for Wagner as well as Rhode Island. His brother Bobby who is head of the team at Arizona State.