Report: Lakers' Ham unlikely to return next season

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is unlikely to be in charge of the team for the 2024-25 season after L.A. was ousted from the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets for a second consecutive season, multiple sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The Lakers will reassess in the coming days, but management believes the roster is more talented than a first-round exit, Charania adds.

After the Lakers' elimination in Game 5, Ham noted the multitude of injuries that plagued L.A. throughout the season as a reason for the squad's shortcomings.

"It seemed like every time we hit a rhythm, somebody, a key piece, would fall out of the lineup," Ham said in his press conference.

Gabe Vincent, who was acquired in the offseason after a run to the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat, only appeared in 11 games for the Lakers this season, while reserve big man Christian Wood has been out since March after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

The 50-year-old head coach added that he wasn't "going to feel sorry for myself" after the loss.

"I'll continue to work, to get better and to control what I can control," he said.

Ham has two years left on his contract at around $5 million per season, according to Charania.

L.A. will have to wait on a decision from superstar LeBron James about his future. He refused to answer questions during his exit interview Monday night, per SportsCenter.

The Lakers do not know if the 39-year-old plans to remain with the organization, sources told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

James has a $51.4-million player option for the 2024-25 season.

Los Angeles went 47-35 this year, finishing eighth in the Western Conference. The team secured a rematch against the defending-champion Nuggets after a win over the New Orleans Pelicans in a play-in game.