Darvin Ham’s job security with the Los Angeles Lakers was called into question after the team was knocked out of the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets in just five games. Speculation began swirling about Ham’s future with the Lakers, and on Friday, the team officially announced that they had parted ways with him after two seasons. As LeBron James contemplates his future with the Lakers, the team will be looking for a new head coach to lead the team into the next chapter.
Tyronn Lue and J.J. Redick are among the top contenders for the Lakers’ head coaching job, according to a report from ESPN. Both Lue and Redick have connections to LeBron James, with Lue coaching James to an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Redick serving as James’ podcast co-host. The new head coach will have the task of maximizing the final chapter of Ham’s career, should he decide to remain with the Lakers.
Despite having two years remaining on his contract, the Lakers decided to part ways with Ham after a disappointing season. During his tenure in Los Angeles, Ham had a regular season record of 90-74 and an 11-12 record in the postseason. While Ham did guide the Lakers to a title in the NBA’s first-ever In-Season tournament in December, the team’s early exit from the playoffs ultimately led to his departure.
Ham took over as head coach of the Lakers in 2022, replacing Frank Vogel. Vogel had led the team to a disappointing 33-win season in 2021-22, failing to qualify for the postseason. However, Vogel also led the Lakers to an NBA championship inside the bubble in 2020. In his first season as head coach, Ham faced challenges, but the team made moves leading up to the trade deadline that helped them reach the Western Conference Finals.
As the Lakers prepare for a new era under a new head coach, they will have to navigate LeBron James’ uncertain future with the team. James has not committed to returning to the Lakers for the 2024-25 season, leaving many questions about the team’s direction moving forward. The Lakers’ next head coach will need to lead the team through this transition period and work to maximize the talent on the roster to compete for another championship.
