Insiders inform Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic that Bucks associate Darvin Ham has left a significant impact on Lakers management during recent discussions and is emerging as the primary contender for the coaching position.
Previous reports indicated that Ham, Warriors associate Kenny Atkinson, and former Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts are the leading contenders.
The leadership in Los Angeles is in search of a coach “who can demand respect and authority in the team’s locker room” while also possessing a strong voice and presence to navigate the various personalities on the roster. Ham’s “straightforward approach and capacity to connect with his players” have garnered praise from the Lakers thus far, as noted by Charania and Amick.
Though not named as primary contenders, Bucks associate Charles Lee and Raptors associate Adrian Griffin remain under consideration. Yet, former Warriors coach Mark Jackson is no longer being considered, as per The Athletic’s duo.
Here are additional details on the Lakers’ coaching search, shared by Charania and Amick:
- Owner Jeanie Buss is set to meet with the contenders during their upcoming face-to-face interviews, which are scheduled soon. She has been absent from the process up to this point.
- The team’s search committee, led by VP of basketball operations and GM Rob Pelinka, will ultimately make the hiring decision. Buss intends to follow the recommendation of the committee. Magic Johnson and Phil Jackson, who are reportedly advising Buss informally, are not part of the search committee. LeBron James is not involved either, only Lakers officials are.
- Following a challenging season and turmoil surrounding the franchise in recent years, including the mishandled dismissal of former head coach Frank Vogel, Buss “is committed to addressing any concerns the contenders may have about the organization” as they wrap up the search, according to Charania and Amick. She plans to emphasize providing the necessary resources and backing for the Lakers’ future success.
- The team is proceeding under the assumption that Russell Westbrook will be part of the roster next season, prompting queries to coaching candidates about their plans for him. If trading Westbrook proves difficult due to his substantial ($47MM) player option and diminishing performance, both releasing him and having him away from the team, similar to the Rockets’ handling of John Wall last season, are not considered feasible alternatives, per Charania and Amick.
- However, in his latest Substack piece, Marc Stein expresses doubt about Westbrook remaining on the roster in 2022/23. Stein points out that while the team is reluctant to give up future first-round picks to facilitate a Westbrook deal, establishing a “fresh-start environment” for the next season may be challenging if Westbrook remains with the Lakers.
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