Darvin Ham is no longer coaching the Los Angeles Lakers, and it’s not a surprise.
Despite back-to-back playoff trips, including a Western Conference finals visit last season, Ham was let go after just two seasons on the job.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that Ham wanted to put forth a minutes restriction on the now 39-year-old LeBron James, with the idea that he’d be fresher for the postseason.
According to the report, James “bristled at the idea” and it was subsequently scrapped a few games into the season.
James played 35.3 minutes per game for the Lakers, who entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed after winning their first Play-In Tournament game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Across 71 games — his most since joining the Lakers in 2018 — James logged a total of 2,504 minutes, the most he’s accumulated since leading the Cleveland Cavaliers six seasons ago.
James and the Lakers were eliminated by the defending champion Denver Nuggets for the second straight season, losing the series in five games despite leading at halftime of every contest.
James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game and earned his 20th consecutive All-Star appearance this season.
Former Bucks and Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer, ex-Nets coach Kenny Atkinson and broadcaster J.J. Redick have emerged as potential candidates to replace Ham.
