The Los Angeles Lakers search for a new head coach is over.
Sources have told Adrian Wojnarowski that the team has hired Darvin Ham, an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Via ESPN:
“Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham has agreed to a four-year deal to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told ESPN on Friday.
“Ham separated himself in the process in recent days, interviewing with Lakers officials on Thursday and inspiring an offer on Friday afternoon, sources said. The Lakers were sold on Ham’s stature and toughness, his history of coaching star players, championship pedigree as an assistant and player, sources said. Ham’s history with the Lakers franchise for two years — 2011-13 — played a part in his hiring, too.”
The Lakers had fired Frank Vogel, their previous head coach, just after their final regular season game last month. Vogel had guided them to the NBA championship in 2020, but apparently they felt he did an underwhelming job this season, although some fans feel otherwise.
Ham had been one of three final coaching candidates, along with former Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts and former Brooklyn Nets head man and current Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson.
There was speculation that the Lakers would take their time hiring a new bench leader, partly because they reportedly preferred someone established, such as Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers or Utah Jazz leader Quin Snyder.
Instead, L.A. has gone with Ham, who has never been an NBA head coach before.
LeBron James seems to like the hire
Another reason it was thought the Lakers would take their time with hiring a new coach was to appease LeBron James.
But he has taken to Twitter to display his enthusiasm for his next head coach.
Three years ago, when the Lakers first hired Vogel, Ham was reportedly a candidate, and he had James’ approval at the time.
Last month, a report said that James wanted L.A. to hire Mark Jackson, who had been the Warriors’ head coach several years ago.
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