In the midst of growing concerns and speculation about the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching situation, second-year head coach Darvin Ham has received a vote of confidence from Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic.

A recent report had suggested a “disconnect” between Ham and the Lakers’ locker room due to his shifting lineups and rotations. The Lakers have experienced a downturn in performance since winning the In-Season Tournament a month ago, leading to questions about Ham’s future with the team.

However, Amick’s report indicates that Jeanie Buss is standing by Ham for the time being, despite the challenges he faces in resolving internal issues and improving the team’s performance.

“But as he shared in a conversation with The Athletic, there’s a significant factor in play here that should not be forgotten: While Ham has issues to resolve both in his locker room and elsewhere within Laker Land, he has the continued support of owner Jeanie Buss.”

With Buss backing Ham, it appears that he will remain the head coach for the foreseeable future. However, the pressure on Ham to deliver positive results for the Lakers is evident, and the situation could change if the team’s performance does not improve.

Ham, a former player, expressed his understanding of the gravity of coaching high-profile players like Kobe Bryant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and LeBron James, emphasizing his commitment to the team’s success.

“’I know the situation,’ said Ham, the former player whose first NBA coaching job came as an assistant with the Lakers from 2011 to 2013. ‘I’ve been here before. I started here. So I understand the gravity of being with Kobe (Bryant), with (Milwaukee’s) Giannis (Antetokounmpo, whom he coached as an assistant from 2018 to 2022) and now with (LeBron), of what you’re fighting for. And I’m the same (as them).'”

While the Lakers have a history of coaching changes in recent years, Buss’s support suggests a reluctance to make another move at this time. The Lakers are striving to overcome their recent struggles and return to their status as one of the top teams in the league. The hope is that a recent win over the Los Angeles Clippers will mark the beginning of a positive turnaround, putting distractions aside.