Who could replace Darvin Ham at Lakers if fired by the club?

Darvin Ham made several blunders during the playoffs. His timeout usage was puzzling, and he failed to adjust when the games got out of control. In Game 2, the Lakers blew a lead due to his inability to counter the Nuggets’ adjustments.

The Lakers looked disorganized under Ham’s leadership. Players didn’t have clearly-defined roles, and the team cycled through 19 different starting lineups during the regular season. Contrast this with their championship-winning season in 2020, where roles were well-defined.

Lakers players have seemingly called out their coach. Reports of a disconnect between players and Ham surfaced, and even big man Christian Wood expressed displeasure with Ham’s rotations.

If the Lakers fire Darvin Ham, who is in the best position to replace him?

If the Lakers decide to part ways with Ham, here are three potential candidates to consider:

Mike D’Antoni: A veteran coach with a proven record of working with star players, D’Antoni could inject energy into the Lakers’ offense. His fast-paced system might complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Mike Budenholzer: The former Bucks coach won an NBA championship and emphasizes player development. His balanced approach could stabilize the Lakers.

Doc Rivers: A championship-winning coach, Rivers has experience managing egos and building team chemistry. His leadership could resonate with the Lakers’ roster.

Additionally, former Michigan head coach Juwan Howard has confirmed his return to coaching and is likely to coach in the NBA. While not an exciting option, Howard could be a candidate to replace Ham. The decision to keep the coach or to let him go should be taken soon if they want to prepare well for next season.