Category: Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers Dismiss Coach Darvin Ham After Two Seasons, per Report
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Lakers Dismiss Coach Darvin Ham After Two Seasons, per Report

The Los Angeles Lakers have dismissed coach Darvin Ham after two seasons, according to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

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 to Wojnarowski.

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.

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.

Darvin Ham, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers
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JJ Redick, Ty Lue Candidates to Land Lakers Job If Darvin Ham Is Fired, per Report
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

JJ Redick, Ty Lue Candidates to Land Lakers Job If Darvin Ham Is Fired, per Report

The Los Angeles Lakers could part ways with coach Darvin Ham this offseason after the team's first-round exit at the hands of the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, who have now bounced Los Angeles from the playoffs in two straight seasons.

Although it's not yet been made official, Ham's exit has been widely speculated upon, and some names have already been floated as possible replacements for the Lakers' potential vacancy.

Among those who are considered "real candidates" include both Tyronn Lue and JJ Redick, according to ESPN's Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin.

"JJ [Redick] certainly is a real candidate if they do open up this coaching search," McMenamin said Thursday during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show. "There's, I'd say, half a dozen folks out there, including possibly the guy who just lost last night against the Mavericks, Tyronn Lue ... that there will be a process there that there are several viable candidates that will get an interview."

McMenamin noted that Ham had not yet met with the Los Angeles front office regarding his future, so there's still no guarantee that he won't be brought back for the 2024-25 season.

Redick, of course, recently started a podcast with Lakers superstar LeBron James dubbed Mind the Game, where the pair break down the X's and O's of basketball together.

It's clear that James holds him in high regard, so if a vacancy does open up, it stands to reason that Redick, who has reportedly interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets' vacancy, would be a realistic Lakers candidate.

Darvin Ham, JJ Redick, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Tyronn Lue
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Magic Johnson Apologizes to Fans for Wrongly Placing Blame on Lakers' Struggles
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Magic Johnson Apologizes to Fans for Wrongly Placing Blame on Lakers’ Struggles

Magic Johnson regrets a social media post he sent to the internet shortly after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

"Laker Nation, I have to apologize to the Lakers organization," Johnson posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. "It was injuries that plagued the Lakers this season, not load management."

The content on Johnson's social media accounts are known to be almost comically vanilla, but he put that aside Tuesday—the day after the Lakers' season ended—and posted a pair of spicy takes.

Johnson blamed load management for the reason Los Angeles finished with the Western Conference's No. 7 seed and claimed the Nuggets were both mentally and physically tougher in their playoff series.

The Lakers had many issues during the 2023-24 NBA season, but load management probably wasn't a top factor in their struggles. Los Angeles' most common starting five—LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Taurean Prince—all played at least 71 regular-season games.

James dealt with calf and ankle issues and missed 11 games. Role player Jarred Vanderbilt missed the last three months with a foot injury, and Rui Hachimura battled calf issues at times. But Davis played a career-high 76 games, as did Russell—his most since 2018-19—and Reaves played all 82 for the first time in his career.

If it wasn't load management or injury issues that caused the team to fall short of expectations, the Lakers just simply weren't good enough in 2023-24.

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson
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Charles Barkley Had Blunt Message for ‘Cowards' on TV Who Rip NBA Coaches
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Charles Barkley Had Blunt Message for ‘Cowards’ on TV Who Rip NBA Coaches

Charles Barkley is never afraid to share his opinion on just about everything, which makes him one of the best analysts, and personalities, on television.

He continued that during Wednesday night's Inside the NBA when he took a minute to bash analysts on other networks who have been taking shots at Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham and Phoenix Suns coach Frank Vogel after their teams were bounced from the playoffs.

Barkley isn't a fan of the way other people on other sports shows have been talking about Ham and Vogel, and he didn't hold back with his feelings, calling those people "cowards" and "jackasses."

Both Ham and Vogel could very well be fired after their poor playoff performances. And it seems like Barkley wouldn't be a fan of either of those moves happening.

Charles Barkley, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Phoenix Suns
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LeBron James Makes Declarative Statement on His Future Amid Varying Reports
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

LeBron James Makes Declarative Statement on His Future Amid Varying Reports

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday in order to provide an update on his future amid the slew of reports that emerged following the Lakers' playoff exit on Monday evening.

James issued a statement in which he declared that no decision has been made of yet and that he's currently prioritizing spending time with his family.

"I’ve seen, heard a lot of reports about my future," James wrote. "I said it last night and I’ll say it again. I do not know yet as I’m only thinking about spending time with my family & friends! When I know after speaking with the fam, my counsel as well as my representation about it then you guys will know."

James has the potential to opt out of his current deal with Los Angeles and hit unrestricted free agency. Doing so would enable him to re-up with the Lakers on a new contract, one which would likely carry him through to retirement, though he could also potentially leave and sign with a new team.

Alternatively, James could opt into the final year of his deal which would pay him $51.4 million in 2024-25. He'd be eligible for a two-year contract extension in August which would pay him an additional $112 million from '25 to '27.

James made clear that he's not yet made up his mind regarding his next steps following his 20th NBA season, and he plans to discuss with his representation before making an announcement.

Bronny James, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
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LeBron James No Longer Prioritizing Teaming Up With Bronny, per Report
30 Apr 24 Jimm Sallivan

LeBron James No Longer Prioritizing Teaming Up With Bronny, per Report

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has many decisions to make regarding his future with his current franchise, but according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, teaming up with his eldest son Bronny in the NBA is no longer a priority for the 39-year-old.

During an appearance on NBA Today, Wojnarowski reported on James's plans for the offseason, including the opt-out in the forward's current Lakers' contract which has a deadline of June 29.

Wojnarowski said he's spoken with James's agent Rich Paul, who indicated that LeBron's main priority is helping Bronny find the best situation for himself.

"I think that's the priority for them as a family, what's best for Bronny James. If it ends up [LeBron and Bronny] together, then that would be great. But I don't get the sense that it's playing much of any role in LeBron James' decision on next season," said Wojnarowski, adding that "in all likelihood" LeBron would return to Los Angeles next year.

LeBron has not shied away from his desire to play alongside his son in the league, a sentiment that he's maintained for the last few years. It seems, however, that ensuring Bronny gets on the best path towards success in the NBA is something that will take precedence.

Wojnarowski indicated it's unlikely that the Lakers select Bronny with the No. 17 pick in the draft, a selection they're more likely to trade than use themselves. Los Angeles doesn't select again until pick No. 55, at which point it's unlikely Bronny would still be available.

Bronny James, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
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Darvin Ham Blasts Unnamed Lakers Starter in NSFW Reflection on Season
30 Apr 24 Jimm Sallivan

Darvin Ham Blasts Unnamed Lakers Starter in NSFW Reflection on Season

The Los Angeles Lakers were bounced from the opening round of the 2024 NBA playoffs Monday night, and reflections on a disappointing season have already begun. After suffering a 4–1 gentleman's sweep against the Denver Nuggets, coach Darvin Ham appeared to criticize an unnamed starter.

In an article published Tuesday, ESPN's Dave McMenamin quoted Ham discussing the difficulties of of the 2023-24 season. He did not hold back discussing the shortcomings of an unnamed player on his roster.

"It's been extremely challenging. Everyone that's been in and out of the lineup," Ham said to McMenamin. "Being criticized for not having a consistent rotation when I don't have consistent healthy bodies. The thing that frustrates me, and I love this job, I love the pressure that comes with it, I've always been calm in the midst of chaos ... [But] common sense tends to go out the window when you talk about my job in particular."

Ham continued, "It's amazing how people just skip that core part of having a consistency with your lineup is all predicated on health and performance. If you're coaching a team and one of your starters is like 10 games in a row, just s---ting the bed, what are you going to do?"

It's not clear if Ham is talking about one of his players or throwing out a hypothetical, but it's pretty easy to assume it's the former. The question is which starter could he be referring to? There are really three options.

Ham benched Austin Reaves for a long stretch after the guard began the season slowly. While Reaves played in all 82 regular-season games, he only started 57 of them. Ham also sent Taurean Prince to the bench for a long stretch after he opened the season as a starter. The third option would be D'Angelo Russell, who had his characteristic up-and-down season with some tremendous highs and depressing lows.

Ham appears to be opening up like a guy who knows his time is limited. The Lakers don't have time to wait around for their coach to figure it out. LeBron James is nearing the end of his incredible career, Anthony Davis isn't getting any younger and the team spent money to put pieces in place around them last offseason.

The season was a roller coaster from the start. The Lakers finished 47–35, besting their record from Ham's first season in charge (43–39), and they won the inaugural NBA in-season tournament. But after reaching the Western Conference finals in 2023, they bowed out quickly in 2024. There doesn't seem to have been much improvement across the board. Whether that's on Ham or not is left for owner Jeanie Buss to decide.

It will be fascinating to see how things shake out in Los Angeles, but Ham isn't going down without having his say.

Darvin Ham, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
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Magic Johnson Roasted for Blaming Lakers’ Loss on Something That Didn’t Happen
30 Apr 24 Jimm Sallivan

Magic Johnson Roasted for Blaming Lakers’ Loss on Something That Didn’t Happen

The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets in five games after losing Monday night's Game 5. There are many reasons the Lakers lost the series (most of them start with "Jamal Murray") but a franchise legend believes there was one reason above all for the early playoff exit— load management.

Yes, you read that right. Magic Johnson made the case that the Lakers are going home early because of load management down the stretch of the season, a thought he expressed on X, as he is wont to do. The primary reasoning was that they could have avoided the Nuggets in the first round if they had posted a better regular season record.

The problem with this logic is that the Lakers didn't really load manage this season as we've come to understand the concept. LeBron James was dealing with a nagging ankle injury for much of the year post-All Star break but he only missed three games after March 1. Anthony Davis only missed two games in that same time period. One came against the Golden State Warriors, a fellow play-in team, but Davis wasn't out for rest, he was forced to sit because he took a shot to the head the previous evening.

There are many times where NBA teams can and should be criticized for prioritizing load management over winning games. This was not one of those times. Six different Lakers played over 70 games this season. Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt were both seriously injured for most of the year. Los Angeles was plagued with many other problems but load management, objectively, was not one of them.

Johnson, predictably, was roasted for his take.

Load management or no, the Lakers are done for the season and major changes appear on the horizon.

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson, NBA
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