Potential Shakeup at UConn Could Impact UNC Basketball Immediately

It's conceivable that a move to the Lakers by UConn's Dan Hurley would help out the UNC basketball program in multiple ways.

UNC basketball vs. UConn head coach Dan Hurley / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

There's no telling whether UConn basketball players would consider taking advantage of the 30-day window to transfer if their now-legendary head coach, Dan Hurley, becomes the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Nevertheless, the possibility may excite those UNC basketball faithful hoping to see Hubert Davis deliver at least one of two remaining scholarships to provide his 2024-25 Tar Heels a top-shelf finishing piece.

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Of course, it's a bit premature to pinpoint any potential transfers. After all, the news of the Lakers' suddenly heightened pursuit of Hurley, which ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski dropped on social media early Thursday morning, is by no means an indication yet that the 51-year-old has any real intention of leaving the Huskies.

If Dan Hurley does leave for the Lakers, UConn is going to be in a situation where every player on the roster has a 30 day window to enter the portal and transfer. The key for AD Dave Benedict will be landing an elite recruiter that can keep the roster together. My first call…

— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) June 6, 2024

Already a reigning back-to-back dominant national champion and with a reloaded roster looking to make it a ridiculous three in a row under his command, there are countless reasons Hurley may want to stay in Connecticut for the long haul.

However, as Wojnarowski added in the report that instantly went viral, his sources contend the Lakers "are preparing a massive, long-term contract offer to bring the back-to-back national champion to the NBA" and that the "sides are planning to escalate discussions in coming days."

ESPN Sources: The Lakers have had preliminary contact with Hurley and sides are planning to escalate discussions in coming days. Hurley’s been at the forefront of the Lakers’ search from the beginning of the process, even while the organization has done its due diligence…

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 6, 2024

If Hurley has indeed been "at the forefront of the Lakers' search from the beginning of the process," then the fact that Duke basketball legend JJ Redick appeared to be the outright frontrunner as recently as Wednesday may delight those in the UNC basketball fanbase who never stopped loathing the rival Blue Devil sharpshooter.

Finally, there's the obvious benefit to every college basketball program outside of UConn should Dan Hurley accept the Lakers job.

It'd be a mighty relief to those who worry that Hurley, perhaps only 10 months away from potentially joining John Wooden as the only head coaches in the men's game to win three straight, enjoys sole possession of the magic formula to produce national champions nowadays.

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