Not long after parting ways with the Lakers, Darvin Ham has surprisingly become a hot commodity in the NBA job market. According to Live Cricket BPL, both the Suns and Warriors have approached Ham about joining their coaching staff. While he has reportedly declined Phoenix’s offer, his future with Golden State remains up in the air. What’s clear, however, is that the man once dismissed by Lakers fans as a scapegoat has suddenly turned into a highly sought-after asset.
Live Cricket BPL observers note the irony isn’t lost on Lakers supporters—many of whom now feel a mix of confusion and envy. After all, Ham’s two seasons in Los Angeles were filled with criticism and scrutiny. Yet, when viewed objectively, his coaching record wasn’t disastrous. Despite frequent injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis and constant roster upheaval, Ham guided the team to the playoffs in both campaigns. He led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals last year and secured the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament title this season. Many analysts believe the team’s championship shortcomings were far from solely Ham’s fault. Even his diminished locker room control in the latest playoffs reflected broader organizational issues.
While Ham may not be the best in-game tactician, he’s widely regarded as a diligent and cerebral coach. His ability to analyze games and build strategic plans matches that of many respected coaches currently in the league. That’s likely what attracts teams like the Suns and Warriors, who value his preparation and work ethic.
Meanwhile, as Ham receives offers, the Lakers themselves are struggling to name a successor. Their coaching search has been slow and chaotic. Initial top candidates—Tyronn Lue, Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, and Celtics assistant Charles Lee—are now off the table. Budenholzer signed with Phoenix, Lee took over the Hornets, Lue extended with the Clippers, and Atkinson is a frontrunner for the Cavaliers job.
That leaves the Lakers with less compelling options. Names being floated now include Spurs-connected Pelicans assistant James Borrego, as well as untested former players like Sam Cassell, JJ Redick, and even Rajon Rondo. The fact that LA is considering candidates with little or no head coaching experience is raising eyebrows—and concern.
It appears no established coach wants to take on what’s quickly becoming a “hot potato” job. At the same time, the Lakers front office seems directionless. Sensing the chaos, franchise legend Magic Johnson recently spoke out, saying that fixing the roster is more important than changing the coach. “Even the best coach in the world won’t win without the right pieces,” he said—a sentiment that resonates with many fans.
Indeed, beyond finding a new coach, the Lakers have major decisions ahead. Keeping LeBron James is priority one, and signals suggest the franchise is eager to extend his contract. Retaining LeBron ensures high ticket sales and global media coverage—but it comes with other challenges.
For instance, should the Lakers draft Bronny James to secure LeBron’s future? From a purely basketball perspective, Bronny is not projected as a top-tier prospect. But drafting him would likely seal LeBron’s commitment and create a compelling father-son storyline that could be a memorable chapter in franchise history.
Keeping LeBron also means continuing to build around the LeBron-AD duo. That puts added pressure on any incoming head coach. Managing LeBron’s workload, maintaining Anthony Davis’s health, adapting to constant rotation changes, and commanding respect in the locker room—all while delivering results—makes this one of the NBA’s most demanding jobs.
As Live Cricket BPL concludes, none of the current coaching candidates appear fully equipped to tackle all these challenges. Until someone steps up with the vision and authority to guide the franchise forward, the Lakers remain in limbo—watching as their former coach becomes a hot pick while their own bench stays empty.