The Los Angeles Lakers managed to stave off elimination in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets, winning 119-108 and forcing a Game 5 in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs. Despite their victory, the Lakers are facing an uphill battle as they head back to Denver for Game 5. If they fail to extend the series past Monday, it may spell trouble for head coach Darvin Ham, who could potentially be in the hot seat if the Lakers lose the series in five games.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has suggested that if the Lakers get swept in the first round or lose in five games, Ham’s job security could be compromised. This potential threat to Ham’s position comes despite his relatively successful record, with the Lakers winning 54% of their games under his leadership and making two consecutive postseason appearances. However, the team has underperformed in the past two seasons, particularly in the 2023-2024 season, due to poor coaching decisions and not utilizing players effectively. Despite injuries affecting the team’s performance, there is a significant portion of blame that falls on Ham.
The Lakers had a promising offseason with key acquisitions that seemed to complement their superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, Ham’s coaching decisions and failure to replicate the success of the previous season led to the team struggling to secure a play-in position. Although injuries played a part in their struggles, Ham’s coaching decisions and inability to adapt contributed to the team’s underperformance. The Lakers’ management will need to weigh the impact of injuries and coaching decisions on their performance before making a decision on Ham’s future with the team.
If the Lakers choose to part ways with Ham, they will be searching for their fifth head coach in a decade, reflecting instability in the coaching position. While firing Ham may seem extreme based on his record, the team’s performance and failure to capitalize on their potential success in the playoffs may warrant a change in leadership. With the Lakers brass indicating they may already have a decision in mind, it remains to be seen whether owner Jeanie Buss will pull the trigger on making a coaching change following the conclusion of the series against the Denver Nuggets.
