Darvin Ham’s future with the Los Angeles Lakers was already clear after the team’s first-round elimination against the Denver Nuggets in this year’s NBA playoffs.
With just a 90-74 regular season record as head coach of the Lakers, it was clear a change needed to be made.
Just days after being eliminated from title contention, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka cut ties with the team’s head coach. With Los Angeles lacking direction and Ham’s dismal 9-12 playoff record, the storied franchise needed to shake things up.
After Ham’s departure, the Lakers went on a major fish hunt to land one of the best head coaches in college basketball, Dan Hurley. Los Angeles felt the UConn head coach could get his team back in contention.
However, after Hurley opted to remain in his current situation at the helm of the Huskies program, LA turned its attention to one of the game’s brightest basketball minds in JJ Redick.
After the playoffs ended, Redick and the Lakers agreed to a four-year deal to make the 40-year-old the 29th head coach in Lakers history.
Redick enters a situation where superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis have become cornerstones of the team. With a mix of young talent and a more than capable supporting cast, the Lakers seemingly only needed a head coach to get them headed in the right direction.
Listening to Redick’s “Mind the Game” podcast with his now-star player LeBron James, it wouldn’t be surprising if the two minds could put the Lakers in position to get off to a flying start.
Considering all Ham has to show for his time in Los Angeles is a championship run in the season, the bar isn’t set too high for Redick to succeed. Especially if he can help hoist another championship banner, but this time for playoff gold.
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