Darvin Ham's Disappointing Postseason May Spell the End for the Lakers Head Coach

Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets - Game Five
(Photo : (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)) DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 29: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers directs his team against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during game five of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 29, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

The Darvin Ham era with the Los Angeles Lakers may be coming to an end soon. 

The Lakers could be looking to fire current head coach Darvin Ham as soon as Thursday, per the Athletic. 

Jovan Buha of the Athletic reported that the Lakers plan is to have an announcement sometime this week's end. 

"The latest I've heard is the plan is still to move on from Darvin [Ham] at some point, likely by the end of the week, potentially as early as tomorrow, then the head coaching search will start. I've already started to hear some names from different people," Buha stated.

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Frustrations in Los Angeles? 

The Athletic reports that frustrations in LA reached a head in the Lakers locker room due to Darvin Ham's poor coaching decisions throughout the season.

Things didn't quite go in Ham's favor following their first-round exit in the NBA Playoffs, where they lost to the reigning Champ Denver Nuggets. 

Darvin Ham seems to scoff at his poor coaching decisions, blaming lineup changes and the team's overall health. 

"It's been extremely challenging," Ham said per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. 

"Everyone has been in and out of the lineup. I've been criticized for not having a consistent rotation when I don't have consistent healthy bodies. This 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," he added.

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--tting the bed, what are you going to do?"

READ MORE: Nuggets' Michael Malone Sends Heartfelt Message to Lakers' Darvin Ham After Hard-Fought Series

Did Darvin Ham Underachieve With the Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers have overall underachieved under Darin Ham, considering the talent he had at his disposal. 

Throughout his two seasons in LA, Ham managed a 90-74 record, including a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals during last season's NBA playoffs.

This past season, the Lakers have won 47 games with a relatively healthy year from LeBron James, who played 71 games(his healthiest as a Laker), and Anthony Davis, who played 76 games(the healthiest of his career). 

With overall healthy seasons from the Los Angeles Lakers', and the NBA's two biggest stars James and Davis, Darvin Ham doesn't have many excuses to go for this lackluster season.

READ MORE: Lakers: D'Angelo Russell Discusses Leverage He Has for Offseason Despite Difficult Series vs Nuggets

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