Darvin Ham has been promised autonomy to select his coaching staff and also has received assurances that Kurt Rambis won't be a regular presence in coaching meetings, according to Marc Stein of Substack.

During the tenure of Frank Vogel, the Lakers made several decisions regarding his coaching staff and also had Rambis participate in coaches meetings.

Given the way the Lakers have previously updated, the concessions received by Ham are significant. Ham is a first-time NBA head coach after a well-regarded tenure as an assistant coach.

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Darvin Ham as head coach on a four-year deal.

Ham was most recently an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks. Ham previously was an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks and the Lakers.

The Lakers were also considering Kenny Atkinson and Terry Stotts.

Terry Stotts interviewed again for the Los Angeles Lakers' head coaching position on Tuesday. The Lakers will also interview Darvin Ham and Kenny Atkinson.

Stotts was previously asked if he would have interest in joining the Lakers as an assistant coach should he not be hired as head coach. Stotts told the Lakers he has no interest in joining the franchise as an assistant coach.

The Lakers previously asked Stotts to join their coaching staff under Frank Vogel last season, but also declined.

Stotts was fired by the Portland Trail Blazers after the 2021 playoffs.

The Los Angeles Lakers have four options with Russell Westbrook as he heads into the final season of his contract: trade, waive and stretch, buy out, or keep him and hope for an improvement with a new coach.

League sources that spoke with Jovan Buha of The Athletic indicated that teams are demanding the inclusion of at least one first round pick to take on Westbrook's contract.

Rival executives believe the Lakers are boxed in where they will have to trade him.

As of now, however, the Lakers have no intention of using a first round pick to trade Westbrook. The position is not believed to merely be a poser as there is sentiment that the right coach and a better supporting cast could make the fit with Westbrook alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis more tenable. 

While it has been reported that Darvin Ham, Terry Stotts and Kenny Atkinson are finalists to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, one source close to the situation told Marc Stein of Substack that the list of coaches under consideration is "still wider."

Doc Rivers has been linked with the Lakers should he become available, but the Philadelphia 76ers have so far maintained that he will return.

The Lakers have also had interest in Juwan Howard, who reportedly wants to remain at Michigan to coach his sons Jett and Jace.

The Lakers parted ways with Frank Vogel 42 days ago as their search has been slow to develop.

The Charlotte Hornets have identified Darvin Ham as a strong candidate for their head coaching vacancy. Ham is also a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers' opening.

Ham worked with Mitch Kupchak previously with the Lakers.

Ham is an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks and has been considered a strong potential head coach for several years. 

The Los Angeles Lakers have moved on to the final stages of their coaching search. However, one coach the Lakers hoped they could talk to, declined the opportunity.

Los Angeles never formally interviewed University of Michigan head coach Juwan Howard because he declined overtures from the team. Had Howard expressed interested, the Lakers would have moved him to the finalist phase rather quickly.

Howard, who was teammates at Michigan with Rob Pelinka, chose to stay at his alma mater. Howard's sons, Jace and Jett, will both be members of the Wolverines next season.

Because of his time as an NBA player and NBA assistant coach, as well as his success at the college level, Howard is expected to remain a candidate for NBA jobs in the future. He previously interviewed with the Lakers when they hired Frank Vogel. The Boston Celtics also gauged Howard's interest in their opening last summer, as well.

Despite a rough season, the Los Angeles Lakers aren't ready to move on from Russell Westbrook at all costs. While the Lakers are expected to consider trades for Westbrook, they won't simply waive him nor send him home while waiting out his contract.

During their process to hire a new coach, Los Angeles has asked prospective hires how they would utilize Westbrook next season. Hiring a coach to handle that sensitive situation has been a priority for the Lakers during their search.

Westbrook is widely expected to opt in for the final year of his contract at just over $47 million for next season. That large of a salary, along with what is seen as Westbrook's declining play, may make finding a trade partner difficult for the Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers are closing in on their final round of interviews for their next head coach, and Darvin Ham seems to be leading the final group. Ham, along with Kenny Atkinson and Terry Stotts, will complete final interviews with the Lakers soon.

Los Angeles has prioritized a coach who can command respect and will have authority in the locker room. Ham is known to have great relationships with players, and he has a no-nonsense style.

While Phil Jackson and Magic Johnson are known to be advising Lakers owner Jeannie Buss during the coaching search, general manager Rob Pelinka is leading the process. Buss' role during the final round of interviews will be to make sure that the candidates all know the Lakers organization is on the right track, despite several public missteps in recent years.

Darvin Ham, Terry Stotts and Kenny Atkinson are among the candidates who have advanced to a final round of interviews with the Los Angeles Lakers for their head coaching vacancy.

Ham is currently an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks under Mike Budenholzer.

The Portland Trail Blazers parted ways with Stotts a year ago following the 20-21 season.

Atkinson is currently an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors under Steve Kerr. Atkinson was previously a head coach with the Brooklyn Nets. 

All three candidates will soon meet with top officials from the Lakers, including Jeanie Buss. Rob Pelinka, director of basketball affairs Kurt Rambis, vice president of research and development Joey Buss and assistant general manager Jesse Buss have led the first stage of coaching interviews.