The Los Angeles Lakers secured their new head coach with the hire of Darvin Ham, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Prior to joining the Lakers, he served as an assistant for the defending NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. He has worked under Milwaukee head coach Mike Budenholzer since 2013, when the pair were with the Atlanta Hawks.
This isn’t Ham’s first time working for Los Angeles. He was an assistant with the Lakers from 2011-2013. He takes over a squad that fell short of expectations last season, as Los Angeles finished 33-49 and missed the postseason. He replaces Frank Vogel, who was fired by the team in April.
Lakers superstar LeBron James was among the first players to welcome his new coach to the team.
So damn EXCITED!!!!!!!! Congrats and welcome Coach DHam!! ?????????? #LakeShow??
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 28, 2022
Trae Young, who has history with Ham from his time in Atlanta, also congratulated him on the role.
“This major..Congrats D Ham ! !”
Trae Young
The first-time head coach played eight NBA seasons for six teams and won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.
During Ham’s stint in Detroit he played four games against James, who was with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson expressed his excitement for the new addition.
“I’m excited that the Lakers just hired Darvin Ham as the coach. Congratulations!!”
Earvin Magic Johnson
Some of Ham’s former players like Bobby Portis and Thon Maker were among those to weigh in on Twitter.
Coach Ham congrats OG ??? https://t.co/5f9jfBOAKc
— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) May 28, 2022
I’m very happy for my guy DHam!!
Huge congrats on the Lakers spot✊??— Thon Maker ™ (@ThonMaker14) May 28, 2022
Congrats to Darvin Ham… He waited his turn and did everything the right way!!! Great hire for Laker Nation…???
— DeMarre Carroll (@DeMarreCarroll1) May 28, 2022
Yessir!!!!!!! https://t.co/bifSHot66j
— Kenny Baze (@24Bazemore) May 28, 2022
Long time coming!!!!!! https://t.co/5luIPvkBxG
— Jason “The Jet” Terry (@jasonterry31) May 28, 2022
D.ham congrats !?
— 35 (@Chriswood_5) May 28, 2022
Great hire, D Ham is a great coach and person. Michigan’s finest! Congrats D Ham. https://t.co/P2Ttq8S4l7
— Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) May 28, 2022