Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darwin Hamm has agreed to a four-year contract to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told ESPN on Friday.
Hamm has separated in the process in recent days, interviewing Lakers officials on Thursday and inspiring an offer on Friday afternoon, sources said. The Lakers were sold because of Ham’s height and endurance, his history of coaching star players, champion pedigree as an assistant and player, sources said. Hamm’s two-season history with the Lakers franchise – 2011-13 – also played a role in his hiring.
Hamm will be accused of bringing those Lakers back into the postseason after a disastrous 33-49 season that cost Frank Vogel his job. One of Hamm’s most important directives: finding a way to include future Hall of Fame guard Russell Westbrook in the franchise with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This was an important topic of every Lakers coaching interview in the process, sources said.
“So damn INVOLVED !!!!!!!! Congratulations and welcome to coach DHam !!” James tweeted Friday night in response to the hire.
Hamm is part of one of the most successful coaching trees in the league under Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer – including Taylor Jenkins of Memphis, Queen Snyder of Utah and Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson. Hamm spent nine seasons with Budenholzer in Atlanta and Milwaukee, including winning the NBA title together in 2021.
Hamm played eight seasons in the NBA, winning the championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.
The Lakers interviewed two of the three finalists this week, Ham and Terry Stots, sources said. After the interview with Ham, the franchise leaders knew they had a coach.
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