The Los Angeles Lakers have wasted no time in assessing their disappointing season and making changes for the future. Following their elimination in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers organization embarked on a multi-day postmortem, conducting exit interviews with players and evaluating their season, according to sources.

After careful consideration and consultation with their players, the Lakers have decided to part ways with head coach Ham in an effort to maximize the championship window of their star duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The decision comes on the heels of their eighth-place finish in the regular season and a first-round exit in the playoffs, mirroring last season's defeat to the same Nuggets team.

During his two-year tenure, Ham's coaching record stood at 90-74 in the regular season and 9-12 in the postseason. The Lakers had hired Ham in May 2022, giving him a four-year contract worth around $5 million per season.

With the head coaching vacancy now open, the Lakers are poised to make a significant move in the coaching market. They seek a coach who possesses qualities that were lacking in their previous head coach, including the ability to command and hold the respect of the players, optimize lineups and rotations, hold himself accountable publicly, and manage timeouts and challenges effectively.

According to multiple team sources, three early contenders for the position have emerged. Mike Budenholzer, the former head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, who won a championship with the Bucks in 2021, is among them. Kenny Atkinson, a Golden State Warriors assistant coach and former head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, is also in the running. Another surprising candidate is JJ Redick, the ESPN broadcaster and former NBA player known for his basketball analysis and podcast collaborations with LeBron James.

There is also speculation that LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue may become a candidate if he is released by the Clippers following their potential first-round exit from the playoffs. Lue, who has one year remaining on his contract, has a championship under his belt as he coached James with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.

Budenholzer, known for his defensive acumen, has a coaching record of 484-317, with his teams consistently ranking among the top defenses in the league. However, one criticism of Budenholzer has been his ability to adjust in the playoffs, a similar critique faced by Ham during his tenure with the Lakers.

The Lakers had pursued Lue during their 2019 coaching search before ultimately hiring Frank Vogel. The 47-year-old coach has had success coaching James in the past, winning a championship together in 2016. Lue's teams have often boasted strong offensive ratings, adding to his appeal.

Redick, despite having no professional coaching experience, is considered a hot coaching candidate due to his successful podcast, "The Old Man and the Three." His basketball intelligence, competitiveness, and communication skills are seen as valuable assets for a coaching role. He is also a co-host on a podcast with James, further fueling speculation about their potential collaboration in a coaching capacity.

Another candidate, Atkinson, is highly regarded as one of the top assistant coaches in the league. He had a successful stint as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets before departing in 2020.

The Lakers are expected to explore other coaching prospects and are rumored to have interest in more than half a dozen coaching candidates. Their search for a new head coach signals the beginning of what promises to be a significant offseason for the franchise, with lingering uncertainty surrounding the future of LeBron James.