Once the Lakers lost to the Nuggets in the postseason for the second year in a row, it was clear that Darvin Ham was likely out as head coach.
Even if Ham isn’t entirely to blame for all of the Los Angeles shortcomings, perhaps a change is necessary for next season. Assuming that happens, it is not like there is an obvious head coaching candidate waiting in the wings to take over.
Perhaps an assistant coach on the staff like Phil Handy could at least get an interview. But more likely than not, the next coach for the Lakers (assuming Ham is dismissed) is not currently employed by the organization.
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Dave McMenamin (@Mcten) discusses the #Lakers future at Head Coach, including the possibility that they look at JJ Redick to replace Darvin Ham pic.twitter.com/fmoG4vniqh
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) May 2, 2024
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin recently joined The Dan Patrick Show to share more details:
“I would anticipate that there will be a coaching change there. You have to make that decision who that’s going to be to fill his role … Certainly LeBron’s opinion is weighed by Rob Pelinka when he goes about doing his business. He calls him a stakeholder … His influence matters.”
He also elaborated on why ESPN analyst JJ Redick and L.A. Clippers head coach Ty Lue are both “real” options:
“You get a guy with some cachet in JJ Redick. You would have pulled him off the number one broadcast team at ESPN and ABC right off the sidelines. Good-looking guy, looks good in a suit. They did this with Pat Riley many, many years ago. We saw how that worked out. JJ certainly is a real candidate if they do open up this coaching search. But I’d say there’s half a dozen folks out there, including possibly the guy who just lost last night against the Mavericks in Tyronn Lue. He has one year remaining on his contract. What’s going to happen with his deal for the Clippers? There will be a process there, there are several viable candidates that will get an interview.”
Redick and Lue both make a lot of sense for Los Angeles, especially with their connections to LeBron James.
RELATED: 5 candidates to coach the Lakers next season (including J.J. Redick!) if Darvin Ham is fired
While there are several other names who should earn consideration for the gig as well, Redick and Lue are probably near the top of the list.
There are concerns involving both candidates worth addressing, though.
It is clear that Redick and James have incredible chemistry together, especially when you listen to their Mind The Game podcast. But while obviously one of the smartest basketball minds in the media landscape right now, Redick does not have coaching experience beyond the youth level.
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Redick has earned consideration as a head coaching candidates for NBA teams including the Raptors and (more recently) the Hornets. He could have options in basketball operations with the Pistons as well.
For a team on such a short timetable to win now as James gets closer to his retirement, a more experienced head coach could make more sense. Redick also has a good situation with his various media gigs, which may be hard to walk away from.
Lue, meanwhile, has plenty of coaching experience and he has also won championships as both a player and a head coach. He is, however, currently under contract with the crosstown rival Clippers.
Even if that is who James would potentially want as his coaching choice, who is to say that Lue would want the job after how it all played out last time he was candidate for the franchise?
He reportedly “felt insulted” by the Lakers when he interviewed with them in 2019. What has changed between then and now to make things right? We will find out based on how the next few weeks shake out for all parties.
