Darvin Ham has been fired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, following their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. Ham took over as head coach in 2022 and guided the team to the Western Conference Finals in his first season, only to be swept by the eventual champions, the Nuggets. The Lakers had a strong start to the season, going 7-0 and winning an in-season tournament in Las Vegas, with James being named the tournament’s MVP. However, their performance declined rapidly thereafter, leading to the decision to part ways with Ham.
Despite a late surge in the regular season that saw them qualify for the play-in tournament, the Lakers were ultimately beaten by the Pelicans before falling to the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Ham expressed mixed emotions about his time with the Lakers, acknowledging the challenges he faced during his tenure. LeBron James, the team’s star player, also appeared discontent following their playoff loss, hinting at the possibility of a departure from the team.
James had a strong season individually, averaging 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. However, the team’s lackluster performance in the playoffs prompted the decision to part ways with Ham. The Lakers will now be looking for a new head coach, with James potentially playing under his fourth coach during his time with the organization. Frank Vogel, who preceded Ham as head coach, was also let go after three seasons.
The Lakers’ decision to replace Ham reflects their desire to make changes following a disappointing season. Despite their success in reaching the Western Conference Finals in Ham’s first year, the team’s subsequent struggles led to his dismissal. The search for a new head coach will be crucial as the Lakers look to regroup and rebuild for the upcoming season. It remains to be seen whether James will remain with the team and how the coaching change will impact the roster and the team’s future prospects.
