Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham may be on the hot seat after a stretch of poor play. Will there be a new head coach for the Lakers in the near future?
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, reports have come out that the Lakers may move off of the second-year head coach following the team's 110-96 loss to the Miami Heat, saying there's a deepening disconnect with the coach and the front office.
The Athletic also revealed specific lineups and rotations have led to concern from the Lakers front office.
Lakers Darvin Ham: Trouble in Tinseltown?
The Lakers are currently 17-18 following a significant loss to the Miami Heat. They have been on a 3-9 slide since beating the Indiana Pacers in the NBA's Inaugural In-Season Tournament.
Despite the continued dominance of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, averaging over 25 points per game this season, the Lakers have failed to find consistency outside of their two stars.
Anthony Davis, who had his hands all over the game on Wednesday with 29 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks, said following the Lakers' loss on Tuesday, that the team can't continue to play the way they are currently.
"If we play how we played tonight, then it's going to go south for us bad," said Anthony Davis.
The Loss was also so bad that LeBron reportedly walked out of the arena without talking to reporters.
Related Article: Lakers: Why LA Should Fire Darvin Ham Amid Major Struggles
Lakers Darvin Ham: Potential Lakers Head Coach Candidates
If the Lakers choose to move on from Darvin Ham, there will be several likely candidates to come in and steer the ship right for the Lakers through the remainder of the season.
Lakers Head Coach Candidate: Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers was one of the coaches fired last season after a poor stint with the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, Rivers is currently working as an analyst on ESPN. The Sixers fell to the Boston Celtics in seven games, which led to his firing in Philly.
Despite Rivers' poor track record in the playoffs that dates all the way back to his time with the Clippers, he would be a strong candidate to replace Ham. Rivers brings championship experience to a roster with championship aspirations.
He is also a trusted veteran voice. One who can likely relate to LeBron James and has experience handling star power, like Rivers did with the 2008 championship Celtics team.
If brought into Los Angeles, you can expect him to develop a strong bond with LeBron James as well as adding much needed structure to a talented Lakers team.
However, bringing in Rivers also comes with its downsides. Can Rivers get over playoff woes and find the right recipe to help the Lakers win the NBA Championship for the eighteen time?
Lakers Head Coach Candidate: Mike Budenholzer
Mike Budenholzer is another ideal coach who could replace Ham if he were to be fired.
Coach Bud was previously the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, coaching them to the franchise's first championship since 1971. Budenholzer was let go by the Bucks last season after a surprising first-round exit handed to them by the Miami Heat, who later then went to the NBA Finals.
Despite his problem in making in-game adjustments, Budenholzer can help the Lakers make a jump in the Western Conference.
Along with championship experience, Coach Bud brings a defensive mentality that made the Milwaukee Bucks team so elite defensively during his term.
Lakers Head Coach Candidate: Phil Handy
Phil Handy is no stranger to winning with LeBron, as he is currently the assistant coach of the Lakers under both Ham and Frank Vogel. Handy was also an assistant head coach during LeBron's second Cleveland Cavalier stint.
Though Handy has never gotten a job as head coach, he brings a player-friendly atmosphere as he spends time with them throughout summers. Also, current Lakers stars would help in his coaching as they bring championship experience, knowing what it's like to win.
It is unknown what Handy can bring to the table, but it's easy to see him being the next man up with the Lakers.
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