Losing the locker room and disappointing in the playoffs led to a short stay in Los Angeles for Darvin Ham.

The Lakers fired Ham on Friday after two seasons leading the team.

“We greatly appreciate Darvin’s efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognize the many accomplishments achieved over the past two seasons, including last year’s remarkable run to the Western Conference finals,” Pelinka said in a statement. “We all want to thank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action following a full review of the season. This organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world.”

All of Ham’s coaches were also fired as part of the changes, ESPN reported.

Ham, in his first stint as a head coach, went 90-74 in his two seasons at the helm, with this season ending in a five-game series loss to the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

Expectations are always high for the Lakers, especially with stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster, and Ham could not return Los Angeles to the NBA Finals.

This season marked a clear step backward after last year’s surprise run to the Western Conference Finals, where the Nuggets swept the Lakers en route to their championship.

The Lakers finished with the eighth-best record in the Western Conference at 47-35 and then blew leads throughout their series loss to the Nuggets.

Not being able to hold leads can put a coach under the microscope and it didn’t help Ham’s cause that the Lakers players questioned his coaching strategies.

The players essentially coached themselves to a come-from-behind win against the Clippers in February and felt they did not connect with the 50-year-old, per The Athletic.

“We need to be coached, too,” one player told the outlet.

After the Lakers lost Game 2 to the Nuggets, blowing a 20-point second-half lead in the process, Davis seemingly questioned Ham.

“We have stretches where we don’t know what we’re doing on both ends of the floor,” Davis said.

Ham defended himself after Davis’ comments, but it may have been too little, too late.

“I don’t think this was (about) not being organized,” Ham said, per The Athletic. “I think I have incredible knowledge and focus all along my staff. We pride ourselves — whether it’s practice, shootarounds, film sessions, games, everything — we pride ourselves on being highly efficient and organized.

“I just chalk that up to being frustrated. It’s an emotional game, with the way it ended and all of that. But I would agree to disagree on that one.”

As the team questioned his strategies, team higher-ups also believed Ham played a role in why the Lakers did not emerge as true championship contenders.

Before taking the top job in Los Angeles, Ham served as an assistant for the Bucks (2018-22), Hawks (2013-18) and Lakers (2011-13).

“Throughout the series and most of the season, however, team officials and players believe Ham’s fluctuating rotations, game plans and lack of adjustments led to an underperforming group,” the outlet reported. “It created discontent within the locker room, which became palpable across the franchise.”

Ham had two years remaining on his four-year deal worth roughly $5 million per season, according to The Athletic.

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, former NBA veteran and ESPN analyst JJ Reddick, ex-Nets coach Kenny Atkinson and the title-winning former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer have been mentioned as possible candidates for the open position, according to the publication.

ESPN reported the next coach should inherit a fortified roster.

The Lakers’ plans will hinge on whether they retain James, who has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season but is expected by one insider to opt out.

“It’ll likely be Ham’s successor who’ll get chance to benefit from organization using major draft capital to upgrade roster in offseason,” ESPN reported.