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3 things Darvin Ham must instantly do as head coach of the Lakers

By Jason Reed

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 08: Acting head coach Darvin Ham of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 08, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 08: Acting head coach Darvin Ham of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 08, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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After weeks of searching for the right candidate (and Doc Rivers thankfully not getting fired), the Los Angeles Lakers hired Darvin Ham to be the team’s next head coach. This was the right move for the Lakers as they are betting on the potential of Ham, who is one of the most respected assistant coaches in the league.

Ham has about as uphill of a battle as a head coach can have despite coming into a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He is not getting the benefit of a rebuild as the Lakers expect to contend right away. This is made harder by the multiple problems that Ham has to now solve.

While the season does not start for another five months, there are some things that Ham should instantly be doing to set the tone as the head coach for the upcoming season.

Here are 3 things Darvin Ham should instantly do as head coach of the Lakers:

1. Talk to Russell Westbrook and explain a lesser role for him

Darvin Ham needs to be getting with Russell Westbrook as soon as possible as it does not seem like the Lakers are going to move on from the former MVP this offseason. It is important for Ham to build a relationship now and let Westbrook know what the team expects out of him.

Those expectations should be for a lesser role. While Russ is not going to take the news lightly, the Lakers will be better next season if Westbrook gets his minutes slashed, particularly next to Anthony Davis. Playing Westbrook and Davis together made both players worse as the two were actually one of the worst two-man lineups on the Lakers last season.

If Russ does not like this then he has time to think it over and even explore a buyout. The chances of him rejecting his massive player option are essentially zero but who knows, Westbrook does have a huge basketball ego and players have made worse decisions with their money (looking at you Dennis Schroder).

Regardless, Ham needs to get with Westbrook and establish his role for the team as soon as possible to avoid any conflict and get on the same page.

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