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LakerTom wrote a new post
Lakers Rumors: Anthony Davis’ Opinion To Be Taken ‘Under Consideration’ In Head Coach Search https://t.co/FBufx1hZIn via @lakersnation
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 5, 2024
After a rollercoaster of a 2023-24 season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ year ended with a first round exit against the Denver Nuggets.
Los Angeles knew that changes needed to be made and they went for the low-hanging fruit as they dismissed head coach Darvin Ham. For weeks leading up to the playoffs, Ham’s job security was becoming a hotly-discussed topic because of his in-game shortcomings and questionable press conferences and the Lakers decided to cut bait after just two years.
Now, the organization is expected to cast a wide net in their head coaching search with names like Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, Tyronn Lue and JJ Redick being mentioned as possible candidates. LeBron James might have a player option for the 2024-25 season he can opt out of, but is expected to have a say in who the team hires.
However, it won’t be just James whom L.A. listens to as they’ll also illicit input from Anthony Davis as well, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
“And of course LeBron James’ opinion will be taken into consideration, but not just LeBron James. Anthony Davis as well I’m told,” McMenamin said. “And the team kind of looks as Anthony Davis finally taking the torch from LeBron in the last season-and-a-half. While LeBron can still have the time to process the end of this season as he decides his future with the team, they have another voice and another leader in Anthony Davis whose opinion they will take under consideration.”
The 2023-24 season was a clear indication that Davis had taken more ownership of the team and embraced his role as a leader alongside James. Los Angeles values Davis as a player and partner after they gave him a three-year extension, and they should definitely have him as a stakeholder in key decisions like who to hire as a head coach.
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I just finished watching all 6 of these podcasts by J.J. and LeBron. Can’t help but being very impressed with Redick’s ability to express himself and the level of his basketball intelligence. Easy to see that he and LeBron love the game of basketball and talking about it. J.J. is the wild card that I want as the next Lakers coach. I think he has the inspirational charisma and savvy judgement we need as our head coach. Reminds me very much of Pat Riley at that stage of his post playing career. Hoping Lakers think out of the box and hire J.J. Redick as L.A.’s next head coach.
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Check the list here of NBA head coaches w/no previous experience. It’s a who’s who of “really high IQ, has the gravitas because of being a player” coaches who went nowhere. All except Doc. https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/nets-steve-nash-joins-list-of-nba-head-coaches-with-no-prior-coaching-experience
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Lakers coaching situation, via @TheAthletic.
“Three candidates have emerged as early options, according to multiple team sources:
•Mike Budenholzer, the former Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks head coach
•Kenny Atkinson, currently a Golden State Warriors assistant coach and…— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) May 3, 2024
The Lakers primarily let Ham choose his assistants but later regretted the lack of experience on the bench behind him. Stotts, plus a seasoned defensive coordinator, could make up for what Redick lacks as a rookie coach.
H/T @EricPincus pic.twitter.com/90nvtCnaVH
— Washed LakersvsHaters 🅿️ (@notlakersgm) May 3, 2024
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“Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson was a finalist for the Lakers job two summers ago. Former Portland head coach Terry Stotts has been high on the team’s wishlist on multiple occasions, with the Lakers trying to hire him as a lead assistant, according to people familiar with…
— The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) May 4, 2024
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Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick, Charles Lee and more head coaching candidates that have already emerged for the #Lakers: https://t.co/q7fQkx43Ef pic.twitter.com/BBZK7mvXfJ
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) May 4, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
While I respect Ty Lue, he's never been my first pick for Lakers' head coach. But I am becoming excited about prospect of J.J. Redick as Lakers' next head coach. Redick reminds me of when Dr. Buss took a gamble on a young untested head coach named Pat Riley. J.J. c/b next Riles. https://t.co/qKK6HwLPM2 pic.twitter.com/Mht0ecEPFZ
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 3, 2024
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Pat Riley was unproven and inexperienced once too. We took a chance on him, and look what happened.
Experience doesn’t always mean success. If you’ve worked for any length of time in this country, while taking pride in your job, you know what I’m saying is true. There are…
— Evan Moore🏀😎🏀 (@MooreHoops727) May 4, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Ty Lue shoots down Lakers rumors, says he wants to remain with the Clippers https://t.co/JvReTCyUnW
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 4, 2024
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Clippers coach Ty Lue on his future: “I didn’t come here to bounce around and go all over the place. Mr. Ballmer, Lawrence (Frank), Mark (Hughes), and Trent (Redden) have all been great to me. This is where I want to be. Hopefully, they feel the same way.” pic.twitter.com/4OC6FsYzNN
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 4, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers dismissed coach Darvin Ham, sources tell ESPN. In two seasons, Ham was 90-74 with a Western Conference Finals berth, two Play-In victories and an In-Season title. Lakers lost in five games to Denver in opening-round. pic.twitter.com/33ck0Hgyu4
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 3, 2024
New ESPN story: Darvin Ham was fired on Friday, sources told @wojespn and me. The coaching search, centered on returning the duo of LeBron & AD to championship contention, begins now https://t.co/x0oFNLhfwQ
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 3, 2024
Joined SVP to discuss the direction the Lakers coaching search appears to be heading in, in terms of the initial concept, and the factor LeBron and AD have in the search. pic.twitter.com/QUCR6AWZ4r
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 4, 2024
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The Lakers have parted ways with the entire coaching staff beyond Darvin Ham, sources told ESPN, including Phil Handy – who coached under both Ham and Frank Vogel in L.A. The L.A. Times was first to report.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 3, 2024
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Lakers fire Darvin Ham: L.A. makes another coaching change after rocky season, first-round playoff exit https://t.co/UhuSUkglgO
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 3, 2024
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Report: Several Lakers were ‘taken aback’ when Darvin Ham chose to start Taurean Prince https://t.co/KEZjNsGgIH
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 3, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Latest @BleacherReport How JJ Redick Could Actually Thrive as Next Los Angeles Lakers Coachhttps://t.co/lWrfVvy4Hb
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) May 3, 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers are widely expected to part ways with second-year head coach Darvin Ham as early as the end of the week, per multiple reports. The next step would be a relatively broad coaching search, though the result may be simple: LeBron James’ Mind the Game podcast partner, JJ Redick.
On the surface, it may seem odd that a team with title aspirations would hire a coach with zero professional coaching experience. Recently, Redick surfaced as a potential coaching hire for the rebuilding Charlotte Hornets, a team that can afford to be patient as Redick learns the ins and outs of the trade. That’s a very different situation than the championship-or-bust Lakers.
But with the right staff, he could make sense for the Lakers, and his connection to James is undeniable. Should the team choose to stay the course with the 39-year-old legend, at roughly $162 million for three more years, Redick makes sense.
The Lakers don’t seem willing to lose their headliner, are likely to pay him and may even draft his son, Bronny James. Committing to the King means committing to the whole LeBron James experience, including a potentially handpicked Ham replacement.
It’s presumptive to say James wants Redick, but the two share a common view of the game and a natural trust. Unless the Los Angeles Clippers scapegoat Tyronn Lue for yet another Kawhi Leonard-less postseason, Redick seems the most logical choice.
Redick is professional and generally perceived as a bit arrogant and strong-willed, which is not meant to be a criticism. He also had a 15-year NBA career, and recently finished his playing career after the 2020-21 season before making quick inroads into the media space. The grind of a season and locker room politics will be familiar to him.
Regarding coaching style, there’s not much of a track record, as scouting videos on his son’s “fourth-grade travel team” may be challenging to locate, as mentioned on Pablo Torres Finds Out.
But Redick turned down multiple overtures to be an assistant last offseason, including from the Boston Celtics, “I could be helping [Jayson] Tatum win a championship. Instead, I’m trying to figure out how a nine-year-old can beat a 2-3 zone,” he told Torres.
Executive of the Year Brad Stevens’ whiff is another positive endorsement. Redick has the coaching bug; it’s just a matter of when and where, and the Lakers should trump the rebuilding Hornets.
“You certainly miss the competitive side of professional basketball when you retire, and that’s probably the biggest itch,” Redick told the Dan Patrick Show last May. “… I’m in a fortunate situation that I can kind of wait and see if there’s anything that materializes that’s sort of a perfect fit.”
James believes in Redick enough to partner with him on a podcast, and if he pushes to make it happen with the Lakers, best believe he views Redick as a better tactician than Ham.
Where the Lakers front office needs to do its work is making sure that a qualified staff with experience supports Redick.
Terry Stotts was the runner-up for the job to Ham and has a strong reputation as an offensive coach. While a Frank Vogel-type for defense would be ideal, if the Phoenix Suns part ways with their coach, don’t expect the former L.A. head man to return as an assistant to the Lakers.
Vogel’s staff, primarily hand-picked by the front office, included former head coaches such as Lionel Hollins and Jason Kidd. The Lakers primarily let Ham choose his assistants but later regretted the lack of experience on the bench behind him. Stotts, plus a seasoned defensive coordinator, could make up for what Redick lacks as a rookie coach.
Phil Handy, a high-level developmental coach, believed to have a positive relationship with James, could survive the transition.
Above all, communication with the Lakers’ top star is paramount, and a quick perusal of James and Redick’s podcast shows an obvious comfort level that should lead to a productive marriage.
The Roster
Whoever the Lakers get to coach next season will need a better (or at least healthier) roster. The 2023-24 Lakers never quite proved themselves, thanks to a revolving door of injury spells. Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and James were mainly healthy, but other expected contributors such as Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood were not.
Adding bulkier size to slow Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić would be wise—think Dwight Howard’s archetype. The margin in most of the first-round losses to Denver was slim, and a 5-10 percent improvement against Jokić could have been the difference.
D’Angelo Russell has a player option, which he’ll use to explore free agency in June (not technically legal but commonplace in the NBA). If one of the few teams with cap room commits to paying him (the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, etc.), he’ll opt out and leave.
If not, the Lakers may have negotiating leverage. If he opts in, the team might look to trade him, or keep him to see if the coaching change makes the difference.
Los Angeles will likely have two draft picks (Nos. 17 and 55). The latter would preferably be used to draft Bronny James. The New Orleans Pelicans can take the Lakers’ first-rounder as part of the initial Davis trade but are expected to defer the selection to 2025.
Other Lakers with options include Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish and Wood. Max Christie, Colin Castleton, Harry Giles III and Skylar Mays will be restricted free agents, while Taurean Prince and Spencer Dinwiddie will be unrestricted.
L.A. will also look at the trade market, weighing potential opportunities for a third star like Donovan Mitchell or Trae Young. With the restrictive rules of the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, the franchise is probably better suited to focusing on proper depth, youth, size, athleticism, shooting and defensive acumen over big names.
Most of these decisions, including possibly a Redick hiring, will be made over the next two months, as the 2024-25 calendar year officially begins July 1.
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An excellent article by Eric Pincus. For me, it has to be Redick or Lue. Lakers need a quality head coach. I really love the idea of J.J. as I think he would be the perfect coach to take full advantage of LeBron and AD.
In many ways, I prefer Redick over Lue because of his age and personality. He could be the next version of Pat Riley for the Lakers. He has that kind of allure imo.
Great points by Eric of the Laker not making the same mistake with Redick they did with Ham. Need a guy like Stotts to help him learn how to do the job. Really excited about the prospect of the Lakers firing Ham and hiring Redick.
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The Lakers primarily let Ham choose his assistants but later regretted the lack of experience on the bench behind him. Stotts, plus a seasoned defensive coordinator, could make up for what Redick lacks as a rookie coach.
H/T @EricPincus pic.twitter.com/90nvtCnaVH
— Washed LakersvsHaters 🅿️ (@notlakersgm) May 3, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
5 toughest questions facing the Lakers heading into the offseason https://t.co/ZQ1RJ0mQVQ
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 2, 2024
1. Who will be the Lakers coach next season?
2. What will LeBron decide?
3. Will D’Angelo Russell opt in or opt out?
4. Will the Lakers chase a 3rd star?
5. Can they possibly run this same team back again?-
MY ANSWERS:
1. Who will be the Lakers coach next season?
TY LUE, J.J. REDDICK, OR DAVID ADLEMAN2. What will LeBron decide?
NEW 3-YEAR MAX EXTENSION OR SIGN-AND-TRADE3. Will D’Angelo Russell opt in or opt out?
DLO WILL SIGN 3-YEAR EXTENSION4. Will the Lakers chase a 3rd star?
YES, BUT YOUNGER MORE AFFORDABLE STARS5. Can they possibly run this same team back again?
YES, BUT THEY NEED TO UPGRADE 2 OR 3 STARTERS
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LakerTom wrote a new post
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The time has finally come for the Lakers to prioritize going big and trade for a modern championship quality starting center. Here are four centers L.A. could pair with Anthony Davis to transform the Lakers into champs.https://t.co/dxxpOLiUI4 pic.twitter.com/UwzSl8HHrX
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 2, 2024
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LAURI MARKKANEN should be the Lakers’ top candidate to be their center of the future next to Davis and James because he has the greatest potential to become a legitimate superstar and is best volume 3-point shooting center.https://t.co/dxxpOLiUI4 pic.twitter.com/arD51XedIp
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 2, 2024
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MYLES TURNER should be the Lakers’ second choice to be their center of the future next to Davis and James because of his elite ability to protect the rim and real DPOY potential as well as proven ability to create spacing.https://t.co/dxxpOLiUI4 pic.twitter.com/Bku2l7vmrZ
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 2, 2024
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JONATHAN ISAAC should be the Lakers’ fourth starting center candidate despite his injury history and lack of a starting role because he’s the best defender among the candidates and, if healthy, could be a superstar.https://t.co/dxxpOLiUI4 pic.twitter.com/ic5w67HNjp
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 2, 2024
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Four Modern Centers Who Would Transform Lakers Into Champions
Lakers have 3 draft picks & 4 pick swaps to use to trade for a 3rd superstar. Lakers would be smarter to use that draft capital to trade for 2nd big to pair with AD in 2-bigs starting lineup.https://t.co/dxxpOLiUI4 pic.twitter.com/L2jZ3XWC5v
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 2, 2024
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Four Modern Centers Who Would Transform Lakers Into Champions
What would Lakers have to give up to get one of these four modern centers?
MARKKANEN – 3 picks, 3 swaps
TURNER – 2 picks, 2 swaps
SENGUN- 2 picks, 2 swaps
ISAAC – 1 pick, 1 swaphttps://t.co/dxxpOLiUI4 pic.twitter.com/xEMxIlVoZ3— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 2, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Jovan Buha key points, via NBA Show pod. #LakeShow 👇
– Ham will be fired by the end of the week.
– Lakers have 2 paths:
Path 1: Make minor trades with Russell/Hachimura that are minor trades but are big enough in the big picture.
Path 2: 3 star build. Kyrie/Mitchell/Young are… pic.twitter.com/EhfGwfMEoV— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) May 2, 2024
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Great update by Jovan. I love the idea of the Lakers S&Ting DLO to the Orlando Magic for Jonathan Isaac. Would take a first round pick and maybe a swap but Isaac would be the perfect second big to start at the 5 with AD at the 4. Elite shot blocker who can guard all five positions just like AD. Averaged 1.9 stocks per game in just 15.8 mpg. A Davis, James, Isaac front court would dominate at both ends of the court.
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Love to see the Lakers try to work out a S&T of DLO to the Orlando Magic for Jonathan Isaac. Magic are desperate for 3-point shooting and Isaac is not going to start and will be on expiring contract. Time to cash in on him, get DLO, and maybe a first round pick and swap. https://t.co/idUgkWEuVj
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 2, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Lakers have multiple options but biggest problem is DLO. Lakers need him to accept player option or agree to S&T so Lakers don't lose him for nothing.
Best solution w/b to work out S&T to team desperate for 3-point shooting like Magic for Jonathan Isaac. DLO is key to summer. https://t.co/rHb9I5kstB pic.twitter.com/104aHcNEAw
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 2, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Lakers likely to move on from Darvin Ham by the end of the week; per @jovanbuha
"The latest I've heard is the plan is still to move on from Darvin [Ham] at some point, likely by the end of the week, potentially as early as tomorrow, then the head coaching search will start.… pic.twitter.com/wTWiJ8vdIl
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BasketballOnX) May 2, 2024
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Important to move ahead as quickly as possible. Looks like there are multiple quality candidates who could take over from Ham, especially if finances will not be a problem this time around.
Candidates Lakers should definitely interview include Mike Budenholzer, Phil Handy, David Adleman, Ty Lue, Kenny Atkinson, J.J. Reddick, Jordi Fernandez, Charles Lee, and Rajon Rondo.
I’m not worried about lack of coaching experience and the three guys I like most for Lakers are Adleman, Reddick, and Rondo. All three would be excellent choices who could become great head coaches.
If Lakers hire a first time coach, they should also hire an experienced head coach to mentor the new coach as his lead assistant.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
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From above article:
Will LeBron stay in Laker Land?
Coming off his 21st NBA season, James is expected to play up to two more NBA seasons, one source briefed on his thinking said. He has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season. Two more seasons would take James through the 2026 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
It’s anticipated James, ahead of his June 29 option date, will want to see how the Lakers manage the offseason and their approach to building the roster around him and Davis. Both routes — opting in and opting out — are on the table for James. He places importance on having comprehensive and well-rounded depth around him, which could mean the Lakers explore trades in the lead-up to that player option, sandwiched between the NBA Draft, which begins June 26, and the opening of free agency on June 30.
What’s more, team sources say the Lakers are very open to the prospect of helping LeBron fulfill his dream of playing with his son Bronny by potentially drafting him.
“My last year will be played with my son,” James famously told The Athletic in 2022.
LeBron changed his message in January 2023, telling ESPN that he would consider that family goal fulfilled so long as he shared the floor with Bronny “either in the same uniform or a matchup against him.” In the wake of Bronny’s cardiac arrest episode in July, he had an uneven freshman season at USC. His hard-to-handicap NBA future remains a topic of great debate, but rival teams believe it is not a matter of if he is a draft pick, but whether the selection range, location and fit are enough to keep him in the draft.
As for his father, the Lakers want him back — badly — and the potential of the 39-year-old LeBron returning remains the most likely scenario. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, in particular, believes James’ return is of paramount importance to their plan. This franchise has always been buoyed by the stars, and James’ ability to still play at an elite level at his advanced age has only strengthened the desire to have him retire in a purple-and-gold jersey one day. And after six seasons together in which there has been no shortage of ups and downs, Buss and James, team sources say, have a relationship that is better than ever these days.
The Lakers, team sources say, would be open to discussing any deal that involves James coming back — including even the maximum three-year, $164 million extension they can offer. Playing through a three-year deal would put him at 42 by the end of the contract.
“He’s not the problem here,” one high-ranking Lakers official said of LeBron.
He is, in fact, still seen as a major part of the solution.
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From above article:
Where did Darvin Ham go wrong?
In the eyes of the Lakers’ top decision-makers, the combination of last season’s West finals appearance and December’s In-Season Tournament championship were signs this roster was worthy of contention. The pressure was on Ham to make the most of it. But just as the momentum started to build, with the stability the organization had longed for in Ham’s tenure within reach, the Lakers’ skid began.
They lost 10 out of 13 games after the In-Season Tournament, with two four-game losing streaks during that stretch and losses to teams such as San Antonio, Chicago, Memphis and Miami (without Jimmy Butler) that they would later pay so dearly for in the standings. The disconnect between Ham and his locker room was detailed by The Athletic in an early January report, but the ownership support that he spoke openly about at the time played a pivotal part in the organization’s choice to continue with him on the bench.
The Lakers were largely healthy during that stretch — only Russell (four games) and Gabe Vincent (12 games) missed notable time from their normal rotation. Outside of that period, the team went 44-25, a 52-win pace. If the Lakers had won a few more of those games during that stretch, they would’ve finished at least sixth in the West, which would’ve kept them out of the Play-In Tournament and from facing Denver in the first round.
During the 13-game skid, the Lakers used six starting lineups, including two variations of an all-wing lineup — James, Davis, Taurean Prince, Vanderbilt and either Cam Reddish or Hachimura — for five games (the team went 2-3). The decision to bench both Reaves and Russell, the team’s consensus third- and fourth-best players, did not sit well with many within the organization and locker room, according to team and league sources.
Ham’s decision was viewed as a panic move that backfired, a divergence from the team’s stated goals of developing reps and continuity with the core players and groups from last season. Instead, those lineups and groupings didn’t play as much as they could have, even as bench or closing lineups.
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The Lakers are willing to offer LeBron James a max 3 year extension, via @TheAthletic.
“The Lakers, team sources say, would be open to discussing any deal that involves James coming back — including even the maximum three-year, $164 million extension they can offer. Playing… pic.twitter.com/Q9MO0giG8q
— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) April 30, 2024
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“… team sources said, has left L.A. believing that the championship window for this core has not closed, and if a different voice is needed to lead the group, the franchise will make the financial commitment to do so.”https://t.co/OFk5ZVykqJ
— The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) April 30, 2024
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@ShamsCharania article:
LeBron James coming back
Darvin Ham gonna get fired in the coming days
They are focused on getting Trae YoungAnd now, via @mcten:
The Lakers are willing to pay high amount of money to hire an elite coach.
We finally heading in the right direction. 🤝
— Ryan Rueda (@iDude14) April 30, 2024
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Lakers vs Nuggets game 5 starters pic.twitter.com/mun8y8h1ZK
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) April 30, 2024
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BREAKING: Jarred Vanderbilt is AVAILABLE for Game 5 vs. Denver.
(via @mcten) pic.twitter.com/3pbO8wit6k
— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) April 30, 2024
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Lakers need to find a starting center to pair with AD in a two-bigs lineup. Use draft picks to trade for Markkanen, Turner, Sengun, or Isaac instead of a third superstar. Then get Caruso, Dort, or Smart as POA perimeter defender. That’s what we need, not a third superstar.