J.R. Smith Warns UConn's Dan Hurley Amid Lakers HC Rumors: 'Don't Fall for It!'

Amid rumors that UConn head coach Dan Hurley is being targeted by the Los Angeles Lakers to fill their head coaching position, a former NBA veteran attempted to give him a warning.

J.R. Smith sent Hurley a tweet that said, "Don't fall for it!" However, he didn't tag Hurley's official account.

Smith was coached by Hurley at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey from 2002-04, earning McDonald's All-American honors as a senior and getting selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft without attending college. He last played in the NBA for the Lakers in the 2019-20 season, appearing in six regular-season games and 10 playoff games as the team went on to win the NBA championship that year.

It's not clear why Smith doesn't want his former coach to take the helm with his former team, but he might not get his wish.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Lakers scheduled a meeting with Hurley for Friday and the team is "eager to close on a deal to hire the two-time national championship coach." The two sides reportedly "are already discussing the contractual parameters of a potential deal that would be significant in its length and salary."

Hurley has not yet made a decision on whether he will walk away from what he built at UConn, as the program has been the class of the NCAA for the last two seasons. He would be attempting to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan as college coaches who achieved success in the NBA.

However, there's still time for Hurley to reverse course and follow Smith's advice, as nothing is official between him and the Lakers as of yet.