Lakers Dismiss Coach Darvin Ham After Two Seasons, per Report

Mike McDaniel | May 3, 2024

Apr 22, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham in the first quarter / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers dismissed coach Darvin Ham on Friday after two seasons.

Lakers brass made the decision to fire Ham after Los Angeles lost its playoff series to the Denver Nuggets for the second consecutive postseason. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka informed Ham of the franchise's decision to fire him on Friday afternoon via phone call, according toESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Along with Lue, the Lakers parted ways with the entire coaching staff, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported Friday. That list includes Phil Handy, who had coached in Los Angeles since 2019 under Frank Vogel and Ham.

A report that circulated on Thursday indicated that ESPN NBA analyst JJ Redick, as well as Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue would both be in consideration for the job. Both individuals have interesting ties to Lakers star LeBron James. Redick just started a podcast with James called Mind the Game, which is dedicated to the strategy of professional basketball, while Lue coached the Cleveland Cavaliers when James and the franchise won an NBA title in the 2015-16 season.

The Clippers, however, reportedly are determined to working out a long-term deal with Lue this offseason.

Ham went 90–74 in his two seasons leading the Lakers, which included a Western Conference finals berth last season, as well as an NBA Cup in the inaugural in-season tournament this season.