It would be hard to script a better debut season than coach Darvin Ham's maiden voyage with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 campaign.
After a nightmare 2–10 start last season, Ham led the Lakers to a 41–29 finish that snowballed into an unlikely run to the Western Conference finals. The magic initially continued in 2024, as Los Angeles won the NBA's inaugural in-season tournament.
The Lakers, however, suddenly find themselves the losers of eight of their last 10 games. They're 17–18, and as they cling to the Western Conference's final play-in spot Ham is reportedly beginning to feel the heat.
That, however, does not mean Ham's dismissal is imminent—at least according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
"A high-ranking Lakers source pushed back against the idea Ham is on the verge of being fired," Amick wrote. "Still, serious pressure from within is clearly being applied on Ham, and there’s no better way for him to relieve it than by winning his way out in the days and weeks to come."
Los Angeles is currently sandwiched between two of the NBA's other biggest disappointments in the conference standings—the Phoenix Suns are in ninth place and the Golden State Warriors sit in 11th.
The Lakers can right the ship Friday night when they host the Memphis Grizzlies before a rivalry game Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
