Los Angeles Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham despite two NBA playoff appearances.
The Los Angeles Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham on Friday after two seasons with the team and two playoff exits at the hands of the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
The Los Angeles Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham on Friday after two seasons with the team and two playoff exits at the hands of the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
Ham was hired in the summer of 2022 on a four-year deal, after the Lakers parted ways with former head coach Frank Vogel, following three seasons with the Lakers including winning the 2020 NBA Championship inside the bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Ham was a first-time head coach when the Lakers hired him. He previously was an assistant coach with the purple and gold from 2011-2013, followed by stints with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks.
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Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ham was informed of his release on a phone call Friday morning with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
“We greatly appreciate Darvin’s efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognize the many accomplishments achieved over the past two seasons including last year’s remarkable run to the Western Conference Finals,” Pelinka said in a statement released by the team Friday morning. “We all want to thank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action following a full review of the season. This organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers’ fans around the world.”
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Sources tell NBC Los Angeles that the Lakers would prefer a veteran head coach, with former Bucks championship coach Mike Budenholzer and former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts seen as primary candidates, but the team is open to all options.
They could promote assistant head coach and player-favorite Phil Handy, or look to steal Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson, or Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman.
