Darvin Ham Fired, The Los Angeles Lakers made their first major move of the offseason by firing head coach Darvin Ham after just two seasons, despite him leading the team to the 2023 Western Conference Finals and winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament. This decision sent shockwaves through the NBA world and raised immediate questions about the franchise’s direction.
In this exclusive investigation, we’ll reveal:
✔ The 3 undisclosed factors that got Ham fired
✔ LeBron James’ true role in the decision
✔ Top 5 candidates to replace Ham (including 2 dark horses)
✔ How this impacts Anthony Davis’ future
✔ Why Phil Handy isn’t getting the job (despite fan demand)
With insider sources from NBA NewsZ, we’re bringing you the untold story behind one of the NBA’s most consequential firings.
The Real Reasons Ham Lost His Job
1. The Rotational Roulette Disaster
Ham’s inconsistent lineups became a locker room issue:
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Started 39 different lineups in 82 games
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Benched Rui Hachimura for months despite $51M contract
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Overused Taurean Prince (1,200+ minutes despite -3.2 net rating)
“Players never knew when or if they’d play,” a Lakers staffer told NBA NewsZ. “The mood was terrible by March.”
2. The Failed Offensive System
Despite having LeBron and AD, the Lakers:
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Ranked 24th in half-court offense
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Had the 3rd-most isolation plays (behind only Portland and Washington)
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Shot 34.8% on wide-open threes (29th in NBA)
Darvin Ham Fired, Ham’s “let the stars create” approach wasted the roster’s potential.
3. The Denver Debacle
Getting swept by Denver two straight years was the final straw:
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0-8 playoff record vs. Nuggets
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Outscored by 58 points in 4th quarters
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No adjustments to Jokić/Murray two-man game
LeBron’s Silent Role in the Decision
Contrary to reports, LeBron didn’t demand Ham’s firing, but:
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Refused to endorse him in exit interviews
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Liked tweets criticizing Ham’s rotations
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Pushed for more structured offense all season
“LeBron gave him chances,” a team source said. “But by April, even he was running sets himself during timeouts.”
Top 5 Candidates to Replace Ham
1. JJ Redick (Current ESPN Analyst)
✔ LeBron’s podcast co-host
✔ Modern offensive mind
✖ Zero coaching experience
2. Kenny Atkinson (Warriors Assistant)
✔ Developed young Nets teams
✔ Strong X’s-and-O’s reputation
✖ Failed with superstar egos in Brooklyn
3. Tyronn Lue (Clippers HC)
✔ Championship pedigree
✔ LeBron’s preferred choice
✖ Clippers won’t let him go
4. David Adelman (Nuggets Assistant)
✔ Denver’s offensive architect
✔ Knows how to beat the Nuggets
✖ Unknown to casual fans
5. Becky Hammon (Las Vegas Aces)
✔ Gregg Popovich protégé
✔ 2x WNBA champion coach
✖ Lakers may fear PR backlash
Why Phil Handy Isn’t the Answer
Darvin Ham Fired, Despite fan petitions, the Lakers won’t promote their beloved assistant because:
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Prefers player development role
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Lacks head coaching experience
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Front office wants clean slate
Anthony Davis’ Future Hangs in Balance
AD’s 2024-25 player option looms large. Our sources indicate:
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Wants more offensive structure
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Prefers veteran coach over rookie
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Could demand trade if frustrated
Final Verdict: Lakers at Crossroads
Darvin Ham Fired, This firing signals the Lakers:
✅ Are prioritizing win-now moves
✅ Will let next coach pick staff (unlike Ham)
✅ May trade first-round pick for star
For 24/7 Lakers coverage, bookmark NBA NewsZ
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