JJ Redick is reportedly leading the list of candidates for the Lakers coaching job

After the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last week, the purple and gold front office decided to fire coach Darvin Ham on Friday. Without wasting any time, some names have been floated as possible replacements for this job vacancy.

According to Los Angeles insider Dave McMenamin, Tyronn Lue and JJ Redick are among those considered “real candidates” to fill the role this summer.

“JJ [Redick] “He's definitely a real person when he opens this coaching search,” said an ESPN reporter The Dan Patrick Show. “There's, I'd say, half a dozen people out there, including maybe the guy who just lost last night against the Mavericks, Tyronn Lue … that there's going to be a plan out there that there's going to be a few people that will be able to get an interview. “

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are finalizing a deal to hire JJ Redick as the franchise's new head coach, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/m4EQZud1Eb

— Adrian Wojnarowski ᶠᵃⁿ (@wojkespn) May 4, 2024

One thing is for sure, star LeBron James holds Redick in high esteem, especially since they recently started a podcast together called. Watch the Gamewhere they break down everything related to the NBA.

It was the general manager of the Lakers, Rob Pelinka, who released the news of their coach's dismissal. “We greatly appreciate Darvin Ham's efforts on behalf of the Lakers and see many accomplishments over the past two seasons including last year's incredible run to the Western Conference finals,” he said in a statement.

Ham led the LA team to a 90-74 (.549) mark, which included a final berth in the Western Conference finals, two playoff victories, and the first ever regular season title. Pelinka said he informed the former coach of the decision by phone before telling the media.

“We all want to thank Darwin for his dedication and optimism. Although it was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action after a full season review. “The organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to bring quality basketball to Lakers fans around the world,” confirmed the GM.

After their first-round elimination, Ham described his time coaching the Lakers as “two years of hell”

Darwin, who had two years left on his contract, seems satisfied with his time in Los Angeles regardless of the outcome. Shortly after suffering his second straight elimination at the hands of the Nuggets, he spoke about his performance.

“It's been two years … I'll tell you that,” he said after Game 5 on Monday. “I have been sitting in this seat for two years. A lot of good things have been done, but in the end, you want to win that last prize. “

“I couldn't be prouder of our team despite everything that has happened. It's obvious that the series didn't go in our favor, it didn't start the way we wanted, but to win at home, our boys showed a lot of strength and discipline,” added Ham.

According to insider Shams Charania, the list of next coaches to be the Lakers' 29th coach includes Kenny Atkinson, Mike Budenholzer and JJ Redick and Ty Lue.