Report: Lakers offering Dan Hurley over $100 million guaranteed

The Lakers are reportedly opening up the checkbook with their offer to Dan Hurley reportedly being in excess of $100 million.

If the Lakers are to lure Dan Hurley away from UConn and college basketball, it’s going to be on the back of a potentially enormous offer.

Under Jeanie Buss, the Lakers have long had a reputation as penny-pinchers and a deserved one at that. But with no salary cap on coaching contracts, the franchise might be finally flexing their financial muscle.

In an appearance on The Zach Gelb Show on Infinity Sports Network, John Fanta of Fox Sports revealed that the Lakers are reportedly offering Hurley a contract north of $100 million guaranteed (h/t HuskyPros/Twitter).

“Can you say no and stomach saying no to nine figures? I have it on good authority the Lakers are offering him at least $100 million guaranteed.”

For context, that is the type of money that would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. Steve Kerr is currently at the top of that list, making $17.5 million annually after a two-year, $35 million extension in February.

Gregg Popovich signed a five-year deal worth more than $80 million annually in the summer of 2023. Erik Spoelstra would likely be the closest example of the type of contract the Lakers would reportedly offer as he signed an eight-year, $120-million deal in January.

Without knowing the yearly commitment, something like a six-year, $100 million deal would come out to roughly $16 million per year. That would put him level with Pop with only Kerr making more money.

To call that a significant commitment to Hurley would be quite the understatement.

It’s also the type of contract that no college can match, which would be important in this situation, too. College basketball programs, even ones like UConn, do not produce enough revenue to warrant a nine-figure contract. Hell, even the highest-paid college football coaches aren’t making that type of money.

Truly, this is the Lakers using their financial might for one of the first times they have in years.

This is also a sign of their belief in Hurley. After toiling away with coaches for years, the Lakers feel that this is their guy and they're going after him hard. It’s a big gamble, especially for someone coming from the college ranks, but if it pays off, then it’s a huge win.

The Lakers are doing what they can so far to try to secure Hurley. If he doesn’t come to Los Angeles, it won’t be because of lack of effort or a serious offer.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.