The Lakers were eliminated by the Nuggets in Game 5 after a completely preventable 108-106 loss, and the blame was placed on head coach Darvin Ham.
Ham's days in the Lakers organization may be numbered, according to a new report Athletic.
“The Lakers' poor finish leaves Ham's future as a head coach in serious jeopardy, multiple league and team sources tell The Athletic, and other stakeholders indicate that he is unlikely to return,” the source said. “The plan is to reassess everything that went wrong in the coming days before making a final decision.”
Ham signed a four-year contract through 2022 worth about $5 million per season, so the franchise will have to move on if he is fired.
“It seemed like every time we hit a beat, someone, a key piece, was off the list. That's right, man,” Ham said after Game 5. “I will not feel sorry for myself, personally. It's an unbelievable franchise to represent. I couldn't ask for a better governor, a better president (of basketball operations) in Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss. But I have seen a lot in my first two years in this chair. I will continue to work, to get better and control what I cannot control.”
Ham and Lakers star Anthony Davis had already been at odds in the games leading up to the Lakers elimination.
If Ham leaves, the big question is will LeBron James stay?
“It is expected that James, before his June 29 selection day, will want to see how the Lakers handle the season and their approach to building a roster around him and Davis,” Athletic reports.
When asked if he would play his last game as a Laker, LeBron said, “I'm not going to answer that. I appreciate that.” And the press conference ended.
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