Surprising Lakers Coaching Candidate Emerges After Firing Darvin Ham

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Friday that the Los Angeles Lakers have officially dismissed head coach Darvin Ham after two NBA seasons at the helm.

This decision comes in the wake of the Lakers’ first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, marking the second consecutive postseason disappointment against Denver. The team is now actively seeking a new coach to steer the franchise back to its championship-winning ways.

Among the potential candidates is former NBA player and current ESPN analyst JJ Redick, who has emerged as a serious contender for the position. Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, Dave McMenamin of ESPN highlighted Redick’s potential candidacy. “JJ certainly is a real candidate if they open up this coaching search,” McMenamin stated, acknowledging that the Lakers are considering multiple individuals for the role.

Redick has stayed closely connected to the NBA since his retirement in 2021 through his broadcasting work and as co-host of the podcast ‘Mind the Game’ with LeBron James.

While he has no formal coaching experience, Redick’s deep understanding of the game and his recent active involvement in NBA analysis make him a viable option for the Lakers.

The coaching search comes after a turbulent season for the Lakers. Despite having stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis available for most of the year—their highest combined games since 2018—the team only managed to secure the No. 7 seed in the competitive Western Conference.

The team’s inconsistency was evident as they squandered double-digit leads in all four losses against the Nuggets, including a significant 20-point lead in Game 2.

Darvin Ham, during his tenure, led the Lakers to a 90-74 record in regular-season play and an 11-12 record in the postseason. Despite these efforts and winning the first-ever in-season tournament in Las Vegas, the Lakers under Ham couldn’t overcome strategic missteps and lineup challenges that left them vulnerable at crucial moments.

Reflecting on his tenure, Ham remarked, “It’s been a hell of a two years… A lot of good things got done, but ultimately, you want to win that ultimate prize.” His departure marks yet another chapter in the Lakers’ ongoing quest to return to their storied success.

As the Lakers plot their course forward, Redick’s addition could signal a fresh, albeit untested, coaching philosophy. With the team poised for a turnaround, his youth and recent league involvement might offer the new perspectives needed to maximize the potential of a roster built around James and Davis.