The Los Angeles Lakers have officially landed a partnership with Darvin Ham to become their newest head coach (h/t ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski).
Per Wojnarowski, Los Angeles conducted a formal interview on Ham last Thursday and offered their vacant position today. The now-rookie head coach has reportedly made a strong impression within the franchise’ brass — boasting his convincing presence, championship pedigree and coaching experience with some of the league’s brightest stars.
The 48-year-old Ham emerged as the favorite amongst fellow finalists in the likes of Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts. The agreed partnership between him and the Lakers is in a four-year span with an undisclosed salary.
After playing 12 years as a professional cager, Ham tested the basketball coaching waters. He had past ties with the Lakers from 2011 to 2013 as an assistant under Mike Brown.
He then served as a protégé of Mike Budenholzer, joining him in the Atlanta Hawks (2013-2018) and in the Milwaukee Bucks way back 2018 offseason. Ham ultimately grabbed his first NBA championship ring as his lead assistant with the club last year.
In his first year being the bench boss, Ham will undeniably face a daunting role of handling LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the veteran-laden Lakers that is off from a depressing 2021-2022 campaign. He’ll take the open position upon the firing of Frank Vogel last month.
Wojnarowski further detailed that Ham will now start assembling his supporting staff in the sidelines, which includes someone who had a head coaching stint.
