The Los Angeles Lakers have officially announced the departure of coach Darvin Ham following a disappointing season. The decision was widely expected, and league insiders Shams Charania and Jovan Buha reported that an extensive coaching search will take place during the offseason.
Potential candidates for the head coaching position include Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick, and Ty Lue if he becomes available. During Ham’s tenure, the Lakers faced numerous challenges, including questionable lineups, rumors of locker room issues, and public criticism from players like Anthony Davis. LeBron James took on a more prominent role in decision-making, further highlighting the strain in the coach-player dynamic. The Lakers now face the task of finding a new coach who can guide the team to success and establish a cohesive identity.