Darvin Ham’s dismissal as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers has led general manager Rob Pelinka to begin the search for a new head coach. Shams Charania of FanDuel TV revealed some of the names being considered for the position, including Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick, David Adelman, and James Borrego. The Lakers are expected to interview a wide range of candidates as they ramp up their search for a new coach. It is also projected that LeBron James will likely return to the team for the 2024-25 season, with a $51.4 million player option for the next year.
In the previous season, the Lakers finished with a 47-35 record and secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, ultimately falling to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has indicated that there is serious momentum behind JJ Redick, who co-hosts a podcast with James, being considered for the head coaching position. Redick, a former NBA player, has shown his basketball knowledge through his commentary on ESPN and his podcast. The Lakers are expected to take their time with the coaching search and consider a wide range of candidates, including assistants from around the league.
The focus for the Lakers this summer will not only be on finding a new head coach but also on roster construction. With Darvin Ham being a serviceable option and Frank Vogel winning a championship before wearing out his welcome, it may be difficult for the Lakers to significantly improve their coaching position. The team will need to address issues such as three-point shooting and perimeter defense, which have been areas of need in the past season. The new coaching hire will need to work with the existing roster to address these weaknesses and make improvements for the upcoming season.
Pelinka and the Lakers front office will be attending the league’s combine in Chicago to start reaching out to potential coaching candidates. The team is expected to seek permission to talk to coaches and assistants from around the league, with Redick being a name they are intrigued by. As the Lakers continue their search for a new head coach, they will be looking for someone who can work well with the team’s roster and make the necessary improvements to help them compete in the playoffs. It remains to be seen who will ultimately be chosen to lead the team into the next season and beyond.
Overall, the Lakers are in the process of conducting a thorough search for a new head coach following Darvin Ham’s dismissal. With names like Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick, and David Adelman being considered, the team is looking to find a coach who can work effectively with the current roster and make the necessary improvements to compete in the playoffs. The focus will not only be on finding a new coach but also on addressing issues such as three-point shooting and perimeter defense, which have been areas of need in the past. As the Lakers continue their search, they will be looking for a candidate who can lead the team to success in the upcoming season and beyond.
