**ESPN REPORT: Kim Mulkey, the head coach of the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team, dazzles the college basketball world by turning down the Los Angeles Lakers’ $20.5 million NBA offer.

In a move that has stunned the basketball world and reinforced her loyalty to the college game, LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has reportedly turned down a staggering $20.5 million offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to join their staff in a groundbreaking NBA coaching role. First reported by ESPN sources late Tuesday night, the development has sparked widespread conversation across both college and professional basketball circles about the value of loyalty, legacy, and Mulkey’s influence on the sport.

According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers approached Mulkey following internal discussions about a seismic shift in coaching philosophy. With Darvin Ham under scrutiny and pressure mounting after a disappointing postseason performance, the Lakers front office had privately begun discussions with high-profile candidates who could invigorate the franchise’s culture and expand its national appeal.

Mulkey, a Hall of Fame coach with national championships at both Baylor and LSU, was not only considered a candidate—she was reportedly their top target. Sources claim the Lakers offered a 5-year deal worth $20.5 million, complete with performance bonuses and a strong support staff that would allow Mulkey to transition into the men’s professional game without compromising her identity or voice.

It was, by all accounts, a revolutionary offer. The move would have made Mulkey the first woman to be named a full-time head coach in the NBA, eclipsing Becky Hammon’s long-held status as a top assistant. The Lakers envisioned Mulkey as a lightning rod for fan engagement, a potential unifier of stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and a strategic mind who could modernize their stagnant offensive schemes.

“This is my home,” she told ESPN’s Holly Rowe in an exclusive interview following LSU’s off-season workout. “I love LSU. I love these girls. I came here to build something lasting, and we’re only just getting started.”

It’s not the first time Mulkey has turned down lucrative offers. After winning three national championships with Baylor and receiving numerous feelers from WNBA and NBA franchises over the years, she remained committed to the college game—eventually making the surprising jump from Baylor to LSU in 2021. That decision shocked the basketball world at the time, but it has proven prophetic: under her leadership, the Tigers won their first-ever national championship in 2023 and remain a powerhouse in the SEC and nationally.

Mulkey’s résumé is nearly unmatched in college basketball. A national champion as a player, assistant, and head coach, she became the first person in NCAA history to win titles in all three roles. At Baylor, she led the Lady Bears to 632 wins and three national championships between 2000 and 2021. At LSU, she’s already compiled more than 90 wins and multiple Final Four appearances, transforming the Tigers from an SEC afterthought into a juggernaut.

“She’s the Nick Saban of women’s basketball,” said ESPN’s Debbie Antonelli. “No one demands more. No one prepares better. And no one gets more out of her players.”

The NBA’s interest was not just about her accolades, though—it was about her presence. Mulkey’s courtside wardrobe, no-nonsense press conferences, and player-first ethos have made her one of the most recognizable figures in American sports. She’s a ratings magnet and a recruiting machine.

“She doesn’t just win—she creates stars,” said ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. “Look at Angel Reese. Look at Flau’jae Johnson. She gives women a platform, and she elevates their profile nationally. The Lakers saw that, and they wanted that energy in their locker room.”

While no official statement has come from Lakers superstar LeBron James, league sources told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that James “strongly supported” the idea of bringing in Mulkey as head coach.

“He respects the way she commands respect,” a team source said. “LeBron loves visionaries. He thought she could shake up the NBA in a way no one else could.”

That sentiment was echoed by Rich Paul, James’ longtime business partner and agent, who reportedly helped broker initial outreach to Mulkey through back channels earlier this year.

While the dollar amount made headlines, Mulkey’s decision came down to core values.

“She never flinched,” said LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward. “When she told me what was being offered, I asked her if she was tempted. She said, ‘Not even for a second.’ That tells you everything you need to know about Kim Mulkey.”

Woodward confirmed that LSU plans to reward Mulkey with a new contract that will make her the highest-paid coach in women’s basketball history. Details have not been finalized, but insiders believe the deal could exceed $4 million annually with performance bonuses, expanded staff resources, and a future role in athletic administration.

Mulkey has also reportedly been given additional influence over LSU’s NIL strategy, including more direct support for the Tiger Girls collective and a new initiative to help LSU athletes build their personal brands.

The decision has sent shockwaves across the basketball world, with reactions pouring in from players, coaches, analysts, and fans.

“Kim Mulkey just did something that reminds all of us what this game is really about,” said Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks. “She chose love over money, her team over the spotlight. That’s rare. That’s powerful.”

NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins, a Louisiana native and former Celtics center, called the decision “a win for college sports.”

“I was ready to see her on that NBA sideline,” Perkins said on NBA Today. “But part of me is glad she’s staying with LSU. What she’s doing there is special. It’s bigger than basketball.”

Angel Reese, now a rookie in the WNBA, tweeted simply: “I would not be where I am without Coach Mulkey. LSU forever.

Current players like Mikaylah Williams and Flau’jae Johnson also expressed admiration, with Johnson saying, “We ride with Coach. Period.”

While some have lamented the missed opportunity to see a woman break through the final glass ceiling in men’s professional coaching, others argue that Mulkey’s refusal to leave her post at LSU is its own revolutionary act.

“She didn’t have to go to the NBA to be a trailblazer,” said Jemele Hill. “By turning down that offer, Kim Mulkey redefined what power looks like. She’s saying: You don’t have to jump to the men’s game to be relevant or historic. You can dominate where you are—and that’s feminist as hell.”

Mulkey herself deflected talk of legacy.

“I’m not worried about what history books say,” she said. “I’m worried about the next practice. The next recruit. The next banner. That’s my legacy.”

LSU is poised to enter the 2025–26 season as a national title contender once again. Despite losing stars like Reese and Aneesah Morrow to the WNBA, Mulkey has reloaded through the transfer portal and landed a top-five recruiting class.

Expectations are high, and with Mulkey reaffirming her commitment, the Tigers have stability and vision—a rare combination in today’s volatile college sports environment.

“We’re just getting started,” Flau’jae Johnson told reporters. “And I promise you—we’re going to do something legendary this year.”

Kim Mulkey’s decision to turn down $20.5 million from one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports will be debated for years. Was it a missed opportunity? A bold act of defiance? A stand for women’s sports?

The answer might be: all of the above.

In an age when money and prestige often lure coaches away from their roots, Mulkey chose to stay grounded. She chose her players. Her school. Her state.

And in doing so, she may have redefined what power, loyalty, and greatness look like in modern sports.