“In his place, Ham went with a big, switchable group of Davis, James, [Jarred] Vanderbilt, [Cam] Reddish and Taurean Prince, hoping to up the team’s defensive impact,” wrote Dave McMenamin of ESPN on January 9. “The lineup change, sources told ESPN, was not a unilateral decision — Ham consulted with James and Davis on the concept.”

“There’s currently a deepening disconnect between Darvin Ham and the Lakers locker room,” Shams Charania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic wrote on January 4. “The disjointedness … has stemmed from the extreme rotation and starting lineup adjustments recently from Ham.”

Ham previously touted his standing with the front office and the team’s stars amid the rumors.

Darvin Ham Reacts to Rumors of Lakers Disconnect Over Lineup Shakeup

“I’m solid,” Ham said of his standing within the organization, per McMenamin on January 5. “My governor, Jeanie Buss, the boss lady; our president, Robert Pelinka — we’re all aligned. As long as they’re not saying it, I guess I’m good. Which I know how they feel about me and the situation we’re currently in.”

Ham, McMenamin notes, does still have support within the organization. That is in large part because of his ability to withstand the spotlight that comes with his position.

The head coach said as much too, noting it “comes with the territory”, per McMenamin.

James commended Russell, who missed three games with a tailbone injury, for providing a boost off the bench in the win over the Los Angeles Clippers on January 7.

“It was great to D Lo back. That helped,” James said via House of Highlights. “Vando gave us a huge spark off the bench. [Christian] Wood gave us a huge spark off the bench. And also Max [Christie] too.”