The Lakers season is not going as expected. What looked like the beginning of a crisis is being confirmed, to the point where maximum tension reigns within the locker room. Indeed, Darvin Ham and one of his players are in conflict according to an insider.
LeBron James and D'Angelo Russell to the Lakers


After a fairly timid 2022-2023 regular season, the Lakers managed to reverse the trend and reach the conference final to the great surprise of a majority of observers. However, this impressive epic had led the experts to change their view of this team. They were instantly seen as big names for the future.

However, it remains difficult to fully understand the capabilities of this squad as it has been inconsistent since the resumption of competition. Despite the victory in the first edition of the In-Season Tournament, doubt reigns in people’s minds. It’s a two-faced franchise that we can see on the floors, and some unpleasantness is even brewing in the locker rooms.

A divided Lakers locker room?

Taking into account the recurring injuries of certain players, and others who are not satisfactory in the system imposed by Darvin Ham, the latter is clearly looking for solutions. It is therefore clear that the mayonnaise does not take. 

 

In addition, information was disclosed by NBA insider Anthony Irwin, and the team’s atmosphere would be polluted by a conflict between Austin Reaves and his coach.

Lakers News: Austin Reaves Credits Darvin Ham For Maintaining Positive Energy Throughout Slow Start To Season

 
It’s possible that this story between Austin Reaves and Darvin Ham is something very serious. I’m here to tell you, I heard it very clearly, that for whatever reason, Ham doesn’t take care of Austin like you might think. The situation could get worse until an agent or the front office gets involved, and people start wondering what’s driving these decisions.
AR15 is one of the players considered very important in the Purple & Gold stable. Despite everything, the star guard would complain about his playing time and its use by his coach, since he is averaging 29.2 minutes per game coming off the bench. At the start of the season, the 25-year-old was more present in the 5 major, but Ham has visibly changed his mind.

Considering that the contribution of the American international is more beneficial to his collective as a replacement, the tactician would not maintain a very fluid relationship with him. That said, the young Laker has an average of 15.1 points in addition to his 5 caviars per game. 

 

He is therefore considered one of the favorites for the title of 6th man of the year, even if it seems that this does not fill him with satisfaction.

In addition to an apparent sporting crisis among the Lakers, relational problems would remain, since Darvin Ham and Austin would indeed be in conflict. In this transfer period, it is possible that one of the two will no longer be a member of the Lakers by February. To be continued.