Did LeBron James Plot Lakers Coach Darvin Ham’s Departure? This Report Claims So – News18

LeBron James has been accused of plotting his former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham’s dismissal to make way for his preferred candidate.

The Lakers had a forgettable season this year. They lost their Playoffs Round 1 tie 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets, crashing out of the tournament. Just days after the Lakers were ousted from the playoffs, the Lakers announced the sacking of their head coach Ham on May 3.

Nearly a month after the sacking, a report has emerged from Spanish media outlet Marca, suggesting that James ‘will not return without some concessions’ from the Lakers. As per the report, the concession includes the franchise roping in his preferred replacement for head coach Ham.

Before Darvin Ham’s arrival to the LA Lakers, it was widely discussed that the even-keeled Michigan native and NBA veteran was hired by the team for his people skills rather than his clipboard ones. Ham had cultivated a reputation as a great locker-room man during his tenure with Mike Budenholzer’s championship-winning Milwaukee. The LA Lakers brought him to the club for the 2022-23 season, marking Ham’s first-ever tenure as head coach.

Considering his maiden season as coach, Darvin Ham did well during that campaign at the helm of the Lakers. However, following a defeat in the playoffs, it was certain that Ham would likely be leaving at the end of the season. What propelled the head coach’s departure was losing the locker room’s faith in him to a high degree.

It is now being speculated that NBA player-turned-analyst JJ Redick is currently leading as the favourite candidate to replace Darvin Ham as the LA Lakers’ next head coach. With the rumours gradually intensifying, it is being said that the Lakers will likely appoint the ex-player as the team’s 29th head coach right after the NBA finals this year.

The LA Lakers are quite aware that they will soon have to build a team after LeBron James’ departure. They are willing to postpone that inevitability for as long as possible to catch the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA’s loaded Western Conference.

Despite turning 39, James remains in control of his playing future. Should he choose to decline a contract renewal, James could hit the free-agent market in July. To prevent that from happening the Lakers will likely be willing to comply with the all-time points leader in the NBA’s demands.