NBA insider and ESPN analyst Adrian Wojnarowski faced heavy criticism from Lakers fans after UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan

Hurley turned down the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching offer.

Following the Lakers’ elimination in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, the team fired their entire coaching staff, including head coach Darvin Ham. Shortly after, rumors about potential candidates for the head coaching position began circulating, with various analysts offering reports.

NBA insider and analyst for The Athletic, Sham Charania, reported that the Lakers were interested in JJ Redick for the position. He later mentioned that Redick was the frontrunner for the Lakers’ head coach role and that the team was also considering former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego.

More recently, Wojnarowski reported that Hurley was the top candidate to lead the Lakers as head coach. Additionally, he mentioned that the Lakers had presented a “compelling case” and offered a “compelling vision” for Hurley to become the team’s head coach and that Hurley would make his decision on Monday. However, ESPN recently revealed that Hurley has turned down a $70M Lakers offer and will chase a third straight national title.

Wojnarowski faced significant criticism after Dan Hurley refused

After all these reports, NBA fans started criticizing Wojnarowski and started talking about Redick as the next head coach.

“The University of Kentucky also reportedly pursued Dan Hurley this offseason to become their head coach. Kentucky’s offer was $11 million per year to become the highest-paid coach in college basketball. The Lakers decided to offer Hurley $11.6 million to see if he would jump at the opportunity. Los Angeles’ penny-pinching on top-tier coaches continues to hurt the organization.” NBA writer for Forbes Evan Sidery wrote.

One fan wrote, “Coaching the Lakers is the worst job. You’re going to get fired and blamed for everything.”

Another fan reacted, “LMAO, it was all smoke & mirrors as I suspected!! Now we’re stuck with JJ Redick cause he’s gonna be the only “qualified candidate” I feel this was all just for SHOW & none of it added up tbh.”

A third fan explained, “He did not want that pressure. Good for him, his choice. But don’t try and convince me that winning three titles in watered-down college basketball is better than winning 1 in LA.”