Unfortunate news: Lakers head coach Darvin Ham was in a serious accident that resulted in a significant head injury.

The Dallas Mavericks secured their place in the Western Conference semifinals by defeating the LA Clippers in six games during the first round. They now stand alongside the conference’s top three seeds: the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Following their first-round exit, the Los Angeles Lakers wasted no time in making significant changes. After a disappointing sweep by the Nuggets in last year’s playoffs and a turbulent 2023-24 season, they parted ways with second-year head coach Darvin Ham and his entire coaching staff.

For many observers, this move was long overdue, as Ham, a longtime assistant coach, seemed to fall short despite having star players LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the team.

Despite ongoing playoff action, the Lakers’ search for Ham’s replacement has already attracted attention, with several prominent names being mentioned. One of the more surprising rumors involves Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. Although it’s still the playoffs, Kidd’s name has surfaced as a potential candidate for the Lakers coaching position, along with Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and James’ podcast co-host JJ Redick.

Speculation about Kidd moving to the Lakers seems puzzling, particularly given the Mavericks’ strong playoff run and their current matchup against the Thunder. Kidd has showcased his coaching prowess by making effective lineup and strategy adjustments, notably addressing the Mavericks’ challenges against the Clippers.

While Kidd has ties to the Lakers, having served as an assistant coach during their 2020 NBA Championship run and earning praise from James, it’s questionable whether he’d leave a promising situation in Dallas. Coaching a title-contending team led by Luka Doncic and supported by a talented roster might outweigh the appeal of joining a struggling Lakers team.