The Los Angeles Lakers have officially dismissed head coach Darvin Ham following their early exit from the NBA playoffs at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, as confirmed by sources within the team to The Athletic. The Lakers had been conducting a thorough review of their season after their first-round elimination, which included exit interviews with players and a detailed analysis by the front office. Ultimately, the Lakers’ decision to part ways with Ham is driven by a desire to capitalize on the remaining championship window of their star duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Ham’s firing didn’t come as a surprise, especially after the Lakers’ underwhelming eighth-place finish in the regular season. Though they managed to earn the seventh seed through the Play-In tournament, they fell short against the same Nuggets team that swept them in last season’s Western Conference finals. During his two-year tenure, Ham guided the Lakers to a 90-74 record in the regular season and a 9-12 record in the postseason, leading to growing doubts about his ability to lead the team to a championship.
Darvin Ham’s coaching career began with the Lakers as an assistant from 2011 to 2013. He later signed a four-year contract with the Lakers in May 2022, worth approximately $5 million per season. The Lakers will now absorb the remaining value of his contract.
With the head coaching position now open, the Lakers are seeking a replacement who can inspire respect in the locker room, improve team rotations and lineups, and manage in-game decisions more effectively. Three early candidates have emerged, according to multiple sources:
Mike Budenholzer, former head coach for the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. Budenholzer has a wealth of experience, including a championship win with the Bucks in 2021. Although he has been criticized for slow adjustments in the playoffs, his teams generally excel on the defensive end.
Kenny Atkinson, currently a Golden State Warriors assistant coach, has previously served as head coach for the Brooklyn Nets. Atkinson is widely respected for his coaching acumen and player development skills.
JJ Redick, a former NBA player turned ESPN broadcaster, has garnered attention due to his insightful basketball analysis and deep connection with players like LeBron James through their podcasts. Despite having no coaching experience, Redick’s basketball intelligence and communication skills make him a compelling option.
Other potential candidates include Tyronn Lue, the head coach of the LA Clippers, who previously coached LeBron James to a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. If he becomes available, the Lakers are expected to express strong interest due to his coaching success and previous ties to the Lakers organization.
Charles Lee, an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics who previously worked with Budenholzer, is also in consideration. Given the Lakers’ high-profile position and the need to contend for championships, the coaching search is expected to be extensive, with the team exploring multiple options to find the best fit for their roster and ambitions.
The coaching search marks the beginning of what is likely to be a critical offseason for the Lakers, especially with uncertainty surrounding LeBron James’ future. As the team navigates this transition, securing the right coach will be a key step toward rebuilding their championship aspirations.
