Lakers dismiss head coach Darvin Ham

Originally posted on BasketballNews.com
By Anthony Valmoria | Last updated 5/4/24

The Los Angeles Lakers have pulled the plug and are dismissing head coach Darvin Ham, the team announced Saturday morning.

Amid all the rumors and speculations surrounding the development, the Lakers have parted ways with the coach who has been with them for over two years.

There were early reports over the past week after the Lakers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets in Round 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Athletic’s Jovan Buha was quoted saying, "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."

And today, the team finally made it official in a team statement.

Lakers Part Ways With Head Coach Darvin Ham pic.twitter.com/or3Bx2mZ5w
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 3, 2024

Ham and the Lakers have had a good run, going 90-74 over the past two seasons. Ham led LA to the Western Conference Finals in 2023 but got swept by the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers got back stronger this year, finishing with a 47-35 record, but got ousted again by the Nuggets in 5 games.

Along with Ham, the Lakers’ entire coaching staff including Phil Handy and the others was also dismissed by LA’s front office.

An extensive coaching search is set to commence as the Lakers continue their pursuit of that elusive 18th championship banner. This development will add to an already busy offseason of roster moves and the impending decision of superstar LeBron James about his future with the team.

This article first appeared on BasketballNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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