Lakers Rumors: Darvin Ham Has Made 'Strongest Impression' Among HC Candidates

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for a new head coach.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania and Sam Amick, Ham has made the strongest impression among the Lakers head coaching candidates.

"In terms of the Lakers' preferences, sources say team officials have prioritized a coach who can command respect and authority from the locker room and who has a strong enough presence and voice to manage the varying roles and relationships across the roster. Those characteristics bode well for Ham’s candidacy."

Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and Terry Stotts are also in the running.

The Athletic says that Ham has been known throughout his coaching career for his no-nonsense style and ability to connect with his players.

Los Angeles is an incredibly difficult place to coach based on the spotlight alone. In addition, the team's next head coach will be leading a group that has questions about Russell Westbrook's fit with the team following a disappointing 2021-22 campaign.

Ham was an assistant for the Lakers from 2011 to 2013 and knows how to coach in difficult situations. He was an assistant for the Atlanta Hawks and has been with the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks.

Some of the NBA's biggest stars have been coached by Ham in Milwaukee. He should be able to help players like James and Anthony Davis.

The only candidate who has played in the NBA is Ham. He understands the challenges that players deal with, and that experience would be huge for a team that had its issues last year.

The Lakers have little cap space to make improvements from the 2021-22 season, so the head coaching job will be challenging. L.A. finished 11th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record. It could be another brutal year for the Purple and Gold if that continues.

According to Charania, Ham is a candidate for the Charlotte Hornets head coaching job. The Lakers are facing some opposition in their pursuit of the veteran assistant.