As the Los Angeles Lakers head into a turbulent offseason, the focus intensifies on their coaching dynamics.
Darvin Ham currently holds the reins, but rumors suggest his position might soon be in jeopardy, with LeBron James purportedly favoring a familiar face as his successor: his former Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue.
An Eastern Conference executive shared with Heavy Sports:
“If it was all up to LeBron, he’d have Ty Lue as his coach at the Lakers. That’s his guy. Out of all the coaches LeBron has ever had, the one he singles out is Ty. Now he is in a position where he has free agency on his side and he can maybe force the team to do something to get his guy if [Ham] gets fired.”
LeBron’s tenure under Tyronn Lue at the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2015 to 2018 was marked by impressive averages of 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game on 53% shooting. Their collaboration culminated in three consecutive Finals appearances and an historic comeback to clinch the NBA Championship against the 73-9 Warriors—a testament to Lue’s respect in the NBA and his solid bond with LeBron.
Currently, however, Lue is engaged as the head coach of the Clippers, who are actively contending in the NBA postseason. His position appears secure for now, but a premature playoff exit, despite the presence of stars like James Harden and Paul George, could put his role under scrutiny.
On the Lakers’ side, Darvin Ham is feeling the pressure. Since his appointment in 2022, Ham has been celebrated as a player’s coach adept at maximizing star performances. Yet, his tenure has been characterized by instability, and despite striving all season, the Lakers finished 7th in the West, faltering early in the playoffs.
The pivotal moment for Ham likely came when the Lakers squandered a 20-point lead in Game 2 of the playoffs, undermining the confidence of LeBron and the rest of the team. This disappointment has stirred speculation about what might have been under Tyronn Lue’s leadership.
Nevertheless, regardless of who ends up coaching, the Lakers’ roster challenges persist. It’s up to general manager Rob Pelinka to enhance the team’s depth if they hope to contend effectively in the competitive Western Conference.