Bucks Hire Darvin Ham as Lead Assistant

By Jules Da Costa, age 16

Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is set to return to the Milwaukee Bucks as the lead assistant to coach Doc Rivers.

Ham was let go by the Lakers after the team went 90-74 during the last two seasons. Prior to coaching the Lakers, he spent four seasons with the Bucks franchise and helped lead them to their 2021 championship. Ham is also a former Bucks player.

This off-season, Ham was highly sought after as he had been one of the top assistant coaches in the NBA prior to taking the Lakers job. Ham ultimately decided to go with the Bucks because he already has relationships with staff and several key players.

Current Bucks coach, Doc Rivers, has been restructuring the team’s coaching staff after going 19-23 this past season, and Ham is one of those additions. During Ham’s playing career he played for eight years and won a championship ring with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. He started his coaching career in 2008 after retiring from playing.

Several reports say Darvin Ham’s return to the Milwaukee Bucks will be highly anticipated. The Bucks suffered back-to-back first-round playoff exits after Ham left. Considering his previous success with the Bucks and his strong relationships with the people there, he brings valuable experience to the organization. Bucks fans are hopeful that Ham can help the team rebound from a challenging season in 2023-24.

[Sources: Wisconsin State Journal; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]