Lakers already giving Darvin Ham more power than Frank Vogel had

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to return to contention after two consecutive underwhelming seasons following their title in 2020-21. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem possible unless they offload Russell Westbrook’s contract and acquire players who better complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The only problem with that concept is Westbrook has limited suitors. On a gargantuan contract and a shell of the superstar he was in Oklahoma City now that his athleticism is fading, it’s easy to understand why the Lakers are having trouble finding a trade partner for the 33-year-old guard.

The best LA can hope for is that a rebuilding team becomes willing to absorb Westbrook’s contract in exchange for draft capital.

That’s easier said than done, of course, and every week that passes the more likely it is Westbrook stays with the Lakers for the upcoming season.

Should that happen, newly-minted head coach Darvin Ham will reportedly have more power to bench the former MVP down the stretch of games.

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham will reportedly be allowed to bench Russell Westbrook as he sees fit.

In a mailbag article for The Athletic, Lakers writer Jovan Buha offered a projection for Los Angeles’ closing lineup for 2022-23.

"Based on the current roster, I project the closing lineup to look something like this: Davis, Toscano-Anderson, James, Brown and Reaves. I think Westbrook will often be in there, too, but it will depend on how he’s shooting, his decision-making and his defense.Lakers head coach Darvin Ham will have more power to bench Westbrook down the stretch of games, according to league sources. (Former head coach Frank Vogel did so a few times last season). That could eventually extend to removing Westbrook from the starting lineup as well."

That’s certainly more power than Frank Vogel had before he was fired. And by the time the former head coach was allowed to bench Westbrook last year, his fate had seemingly already been sealed. That begs the question of why Ham is reportedly allowed this freedom, which is significant given the respect Westbrook has around the league, and Vogel wasn’t for so long?

That’s open for interpretation, but you have to think there’s merit behind Buha’s report based on how Westbrook performed last season. While the nine-time All-Star might ultimately have the advantage to feature in the starting and closing lineup due to his status, this report suggests he could find himself rotating with one (or two) of Kendrick Nunn, Lonnie Walker, Troy Brown Jr. and Stanley Johnson.

The more ideal situation is Westbrook gets traded and Ham doesn’t even have to navigate the headache of benching him, but the fact Ham will supposedly have the power to bench the aging star isn’t the worst silver lining … even if keeping him means LA won’t be able to make any big splashes before the season.

Have to take the good with the bad, I suppose.

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