Lakers' coach search: Rumored candidates, frontrunners, more

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Nuggets in the playoffs for the second straight year in 2024, which left the future of the organization up in the air. A franchise that is tied for the most championships in league history will not tolerate losing, and changes were set to be underway the minute LA was eliminated.

The fact of the matter is, management knows this team has a limited window to win a championship, if that window is still open at all. Anthony Davis just finished up one his best professional seasons while retaining his health, and LeBron James is still producing at an All-Star level.

As the year drew to a close, one of the problems the Lakers felt needed to be addressed was coaching. Head Coach Darvin Ham took this team to the Western Conference Finals in his first season leading this team, but inconsistencies in his second year led the organization to consider making a change.

Details of Darvin Ham's firing

Rumors of Ham's departure were widespread all week since the Lakers were sent home in the playoffs. And late Friday morning in Los Angeles, Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that the Lakers had officially moved on from Darvin Ham as their Head Coach. He finishes his Lakers tenure with a 90-74 record overall.

In a press release from the organization, Lakers Media Relations stated that they remain thankful for Darvin's efforts and recognize his accomplishments while serving as their coach. The organization reiterated that it was a difficult decision to make, but emphasized their dedication to "deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world."

Rumored candidates for Lakers' next Head Coach

As Darvin Ham moves on, the Lakers will reportedly begin their search for a new coach immediately. According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, LA's search will be "extensive" and will include candidates such as:

• Mike Budenholzer

• Kenny Atkinson

• JJ Redick

• Tyronn Lue (if he is to become available)

• Charles Lee

• David Adelman

• James Borrego

• Jason Kidd

Coaching records of all rumored Lakers coach targets

Mike Budenholzer: 484-317 record (60.4%)

Kenny Atkinson: 118-189 record (38.4%)

JJ Redick: 0-0 record (never held an NBA Head Coaching job)

Tyronn Lue: 312-217 record (59%)

Charles Lee: 0-0 record (12 years experience as assistant coach)

David Adelman: 0-0 (12 years experience as an assistant coach)

James Borrego: 148-183 record (44.7%)

Jason KIdd: 323-296 record (52.2%)

Latest rumors about Lakers' Head Coach search

Lue had previously interviewed for the Lakers' Head Coaching position before the team ultimately hired Frank Vogel instead back in 2019. JJ Redick is also someone with loose ties to the Lakers organization, with he and LeBron James partnering to produce the new podcast, 'Mind the Game.'

Check back for more Lakers coaching rumors as they become available.