Darvin Ham’s two seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers were mostly filled with unmet expectations. The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, didn't finish any higher than third place in the Pacific Division. 

A first-round flop at the hands of the Denver Nuggets this postseason was the final straw. Ham was let go from the position on May 3, just days after the season came to an abrupt end. 

Running the Lakers comes with uniquely high expectations. But some coaches could relish such an opportunity, notably a chance to coach LeBron and AD.

Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has surveyed the landscape to create odds for sports betting to the Lakers’ next leader.

2024 Los Angeles Lakers Next Coach Odds

This market is for entertainment purposes only and has been created by the Bookies.com team. It is not currently available on betting apps. Percentages will not add up to 100% most time because these are designed to simulate odds a sportsbook would set.

Lakers Next Coach Prospects

Ham’s chances to return for next season didn’t look good after the Lakers had to get out of the Play-In Tournament to earn a low seed in the Western Conference. But a first-round exit, coupled with a viral video during the series of his play creation, had votes of low confidence flooding in. 

There are many good, viable, and even available candidates to replace Ham in L.A. if the Lakers choose to go in that direction. Of course, this new coach will be hired perhaps without knowing for sure if LeBron will be on the roster. He has a player option and has until June 29 to make a decision on it. 

The Lakers, however, won't get their top option. UConn head coach Dan Hurley spurned a reported six-year, $70 million offer to come to L.A. He'll instead begin a quest for a third national title with the Huskies. 

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There are other viable candidates. ESPN analyst JJ Redick hasn’t coached, but since retiring as a player has seen his stock rise with his analysis of the game. Many experts peg Redick as a future NBA head coach. The Lakers are reportedly intrigued with the idea of Redick as coach. That he co-hosts a podcast with LeBron doesn't hurt. The Lakers are planning to interview with Redick soon. 

New Orleans Pelicans associate coach James Borrego, who previously guided the Hornets and Magic and was a longtime assistant to Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, has already interviewed once with the team. Unlike Redick, Borrego has head coaching experience, guiding the Hornets for four seasons. 

Top assistants could get the call to lead their first franchise. Chris Quinn is the trusted assistant for Erik Spoelstra in Miami, and many believe he’d make a great head coach, if he wants to make that decision. 

Micah Nori has been an NBA assistant in the NBA since 2009. He's currently with the Timberwolves and acting as head coach as Minnesota HC Chris Finch sits and deals with a leg injury. He's certainly on the short list of assistants ready to take a lead role. 

David Adelman is the lead assistant for the defending champion Denver Nuggets and the son of longtime coach Rick Adelman. 

The Field has a slew of semi-legit contenders. Sam Cassell has been an assistant coach since 2009 and is currently on the staff of the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics. Becky Hammon is head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, who have won the last two WNBA championships. Prior to that, she was an assistant for the Spurs and was a finalist for the head job with the Trail Blazers in 2021. Phil Handy, a five-year Lakers assistant with a reported strong bond with LeBron, is likely to also get consideration. 

All could get a look in the Lakers' "wide-ranging" search.