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Following consecutive national championship victories, UConn's Dan Hurley has risen to become the most sought-after coach in basketball.

The Los Angeles Lakers are eyeing UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley as their next head coach and are gearing up to offer him a substantial, long-term contract to lure the back-to-back NCAA national champion to the NBA, sources informed ESPN.

According to ESPN sources, preliminary discussions have taken place between the Lakers and Hurley, with plans to intensify talks in the days ahead. Despite considering various candidates, Hurley has remained a top priority for Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka and governor Jeanie Buss.

The Lakers brass is eager to outline their vision to Hurley, highlighting the potential synergy between his successful coaching approach and player development skills at UConn and the illustrious Lakers brand.

At 51, Hurley has long harbored ambitions of coaching in the NBA and is intrigued by the opportunity to explore a partnership with one of basketball's most storied franchises.

During a Thursday practice, Hurley informed UConn players about the Lakers' interest and expressed openness to hearing their proposal.

This pursuit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Lakers' previous attempt to secure then-Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski in 2004. However, the landscape of college athletics has evolved significantly since then, with intensified demands such as NIL fundraising posing challenges even for prestigious programs like UConn.

LeBron James has been particularly impressed by Hurley's strategic offensive approach. Should James return to the Lakers in free agency, the possibility of drafting USC freshman guard Bronny James with the 55th pick in the upcoming NBA draft adds further intrigue to Hurley's candidacy. James has publicly praised Hurley's coaching prowess and creativity, emphasizing his potential value to the Lakers.

Despite James' admiration for Hurley, he has not engaged in discussions with the Lakers regarding the coaching search, as per sources familiar with the situation. James has emphasized the importance of the Lakers making the best decision for the team's long-term success, acknowledging the need for a coach who can lead beyond his playing career.

The Lakers have made it a priority to involve All-NBA forward Anthony Davis in discussions regarding the next head coach, ensuring alignment on how the new coach plans to utilize him both offensively and defensively, sources revealed.

While the Lakers have conducted interviews with several candidates, such as New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, Redick, Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell, and Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman, the potential acquisition of Hurley has taken center stage in their search efforts.

Hurley's appeal extends to the evolving landscape of NBA roster construction under the collective bargaining agreement. With restrictions on roster-building, big-market teams like the Lakers must maximize their existing talent pool. Management believes Hurley can further develop the Lakers' young core, which includes Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Max Christie, beyond their potential as demonstrated during Hurley's tenure.

Following his remarkable back-to-back national title seasons, Hurley has become one of the most sought-after coaches in the sport. His potential departure from UConn and the Big East Conference to join the Lakers carries significant implications for both college basketball and the NBA.

Despite the possibility of UConn competing for a third consecutive title, they face challenges with the departure of key players to the NBA draft. Meanwhile, the Lakers parted ways with coach Darvin Ham after a first-round playoff exit, ending his two-season stint, which included a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2023.

Hurley boasts an impressive coaching record at UConn, with a .709 winning percentage over six seasons and a notable NCAA tournament record. His coaching journey, influenced by his father Bob Hurley Sr. and complemented by his brother Bobby's coaching career at Arizona State, underscores his pedigree and success in revitalizing basketball programs at various levels.