Inside The Nuggets

Recent Los Angeles Lakers Player Sends Strong Warning to Dan Hurley

This former Lakers player has a message for Dan Hurley

Joey Linn

May 3, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward J.R. Smith (5) waits on the bench before the start of their game against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Cavaliers beat the Raptors 128-110. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward J.R. Smith (5) waits on the bench before the start of their game against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Cavaliers beat the Raptors 128-110. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports / Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
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In a major report on Thursday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that UConn's head coach Dan Hurley is at the forefront of the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching search.

"The Los Angeles Lakers are targeting UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley as the franchise's next coach and are preparing a massive, long-term contract offer to bring the back-to-back NCAA national champion to the NBA, sources told ESPN," Wojnarowski reported. "The Lakers have had preliminary contact with Hurley and the sides are planning to escalate discussions in the coming days, sources told ESPN. Hurley has been at the forefront of the Lakers' search from the beginning of the process, even while the organization has done its due diligence interviewing several other candidates, sources said."

The news shocked many, as The Athletic's Shams Charania had recently reported former NBA guard JJ Redick was the frontrunner, but it seems Hurley is truly who the Lakers are after.

In a post on X, former Lakers guard J.R. Smith urged Hurley not to take the Lakers job:

Warning Hurley to not "fall for it" as the UConn head coach meets with the Lakers, Smith was urgent in his messaging. A 16-year NBA veteran, Smith ended his career with the Lakers, winning his second championship with LeBron James. Smith played his most career games (372) with the Denver Nuggets before spending four seasons with the New York Knicks and five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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