Report: Darvin Ham Lost Lakers Locker Room In December

Ham benched D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura and started LeBron James, Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish and Anthony Davis on December 23 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

It was after that game Ham lost the locker room. 

“It made no sense,” one Lakers source said. “[Ham] was clearly fighting for his life out there but just kept ignoring the thing everyone knew could (and eventually would) turn the season around. Guys started really tuning him out right then and there. And once you lose the locker room like that, you can’t get it back.”

The Lakers fired Ham today. They also fired Ham’s entire coaching staff. 

“We greatly appreciate Darvin’s efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognize the many accomplishments achieved over the past two seasons including last year’s remarkable run to the Western Conference Finals,” said Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. “We all want to thank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action following a full review of the season.

“This organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world.”

The Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals. LA then lost to Denver in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

In Ham’s two seasons, the Lakers went 90-74.

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers. Most people in the NBA expect LeBron to return to the purple and gold. 

According to Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, LeBron is expected to play up to two more NBA seasons.