The Los Angeles Lakers’ recent loss to the Atlanta Hawks has only intensified the scrutiny surrounding Head Coach Darvin Ham, despite the team missing key players due to injuries.

In this instance, it was Anthony Davis who sat out the game due to a groin injury. However, the way the game unfolded and ultimately led to another defeat felt all too familiar for Lakers fans this season.

Critics are growing louder in their calls for a coaching change, even though injuries have undoubtedly posed challenges for the team.

Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer weighed in on this topic, asserting that Darvin Ham has been one of the NBA’s underperforming coaches and that he seems to have lost the trust of his roster.

O’Connor also pointed out that the responsibility for the current situation extends beyond Ham, implicating General Manager Rob Pelinka and team owner Jeanie Buss for hiring an unproven head coach from the outset.

O’Connor’s assessment goes further to suggest that the Lakers could benefit from a “better head coach.” He even speculates that LeBron James might have someone in mind to replace Ham, drawing parallels to James’ influence in Cleveland when David Blatt was dismissed midway through the 2015-16 season.

O’Connor suggests that Phil Handy, an assistant coach, could be a potential successor.

This notion of Phil Handy taking over from Darvin Ham is not new. Shams Charania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic previously reported on a growing disconnect between Ham and the Lakers’ locker room.

One of the issues at hand was the head coach’s lineup and rotation changes, some of which were attributed to injuries.

Ham argued that injuries were preventing the team from finding consistency in both lineups and on-court performance, but some players, like Austin Reaves, disagreed, asserting that they had enough talent to perform better.

Ham’s messaging appeared to differ significantly from that of the players, exacerbating the situation. This discord has fueled speculation about a possible replacement for Ham, with Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy often mentioned as a potential candidate.

Phil Handy is widely respected in the basketball coaching world, known for his significant contributions. He has a remarkable track record, having won three NBA championships as a coach, including the 2016 Cavaliers and the 2020 Lakers, both led by LeBron James.

Handy has also played a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, with whom James has formed a close bond.

While there is an existing rapport between Handy and the players, especially LeBron James, there are concerns about his lack of head coaching experience.

Handy’s decision to stay with the Lakers instead of pursuing a position with the Phoenix Suns last offseason indicates his commitment to the team.

As the calls for change grow louder, the possibility of Phil Handy taking the reins from Darvin Ham remains on the horizon, with the Lakers facing crucial decisions to address their coaching situation and regain their footing in the season.