Dan Hurley reveals what LeBron James texted him before Lakers decision: ‘Blew my mind’

Dan Hurley said he received “support” from LeBron James over the weekend when the UConn men’s basketball coach was courted by the Lakers during an exploratory trip to Los Angeles.

During an appearance Thursday on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Hurley — who turned down the Lakers’ six-year, $70 million contract offer to stay in Storrs — revealed his communications with the Los Angeles superstar.

“We had some text messages and you know… incredible message from him over the course of the weekend just talking about basketball and some different things,” said Hurley, who will chase a third straight national championship with the Huskies. “And letting me know that if he was there in L.A. that I would have his support. Just think about that man. That blew my mind.

Dan Hurley talks about turning down the Lakers head coach job during an appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on June 13, 2024.X
“And then we got into a text exchange and the exchange even went through when I chose to go in another direction. So, you know, it blew my mind when [I] get a text message from LeBron James.”

Earlier on Thursday, Hurley said on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” that he did not talk to James during the Lakers’ courtship.

LeBron James #23 brings the ball down the court against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter during Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 29, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.Getty Images
“I did not,” Hurley said when LeBatard asked if he had spoken to James. “You know, we had some communication. One of my first games I ever coached in was a high school against LeBron, was in Delaware when he was at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School.

“… I shared the court with him once and it would have been a thrill to coach him… I know that he wants a great coach in that organization. I know that’s important to him.”

Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley cuts the basketball net winning the Men’s NCAA national championship game against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on April 8, 2024.Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Hurley’s admission came after multiple reports suggested that James was not involved in the Lakers’ process of finding a replacement for former head coach Darvin Ham, whom the team fired last month after two seasons. Ham was James’ fourth coach with the Lakers since he signed with the team in 2018.

Ham has since joined the Bucks as the top assistant to head coach Doc Rivers.

The Lakers are set to interview former NBA guard JJ Redick this weekend, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Lakers hope to fill the position by the 2024 NBA Draft, which will take place at Barclays Center on June 26-27, per ESPN.

JJ Redick is seen prior to Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.Getty Images
“James has made it clear that this is the organization’s decision,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported last month, adding that James’ agent, Rich Paul, echoed the same sentiment.

“[James and Redick] do a podcast together, that does not mean that he wants JJ Redick as his head coach,” Paul said.

James and Redick launched a basketball-focused podcast together, “Mind the Game” in March.

The show has been on hiatus amid the Lakers’ head coaching search. Redick is also covering the 2024 NBA Finals for ESPN.

Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets guards LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the third quarter during game five of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 29, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.Getty Images
James — who will turn 40 in December — signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Lakers in September 2022, which includes a player option for 2024-25 worth $51.4 million.

James declined to provide clarity when asked if he considered L.A.’s season-ending loss to the Nuggets in Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series as his last game in a purple and gold jersey.