The Los Angeles Lakers have decided to part ways with coach Darvin Ham after being ousted from the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets for the second consecutive year, according to sources not authorized to speak publicly.
The dismissal follows a Game 5 defeat to Denver, punctuated by Jamal Murray’s series-clinching game-winner—his second of the series.
The Lakers finished the regular season with a record of 47-35, securing the eighth seed in the Western Conference. They advanced past the play-in tournament but fell to the Nuggets in a closely fought five-game series.
Reflecting on his tenure after the season-ending loss, Ham remarked, “It’s been a hell of a two years. Sitting in this seat, it’s been a lot of good things that got done, but ultimately, you want to win that ultimate prize. I know what that feels like… So, you want to do everything in your power to not continue to feel this feeling we’re feeling now, the feeling of defeat.”
Hired in 2022, Ham managed to turn around a 2-10 start in his first season, leading the Lakers through the play-in to the Western Conference finals where they were swept by Denver. This season saw the Lakers win the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament, but Ham struggled with lineup decisions, which reportedly caused friction among the veterans. Players such as Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish often started games while key offseason signings like D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura came off the bench, contributing to internal dissatisfaction.
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Despite strong seasons from Anthony Davis and LeBron James, the Lakers once again had to battle through the play-in tournament, setting up another playoff showdown with the Nuggets that ended in defeat.
Ham’s tenure ended with a 90-74 regular season record and a 9-12 postseason record. His departure marks another coaching change under general manager Rob Pelinka, who will now be searching for his third head coach since 2019.
Potential candidates for the next head coach include former head coaches Kenny Atkinson and Terry Stotts, both interviewed during the last search, and Clippers coach Tyronn Lue who was nearly hired in 2019. Additionally, Denver assistant David Adelman and Minnesota assistant Micah Nori are viewed favorably within the Lakers organization. Former Lakers player Jared Dudley and ESPN commentator JJ Redick, who has close ties with LeBron James, are also in consideration.
