The Los Angeles Lakers have found their new head coach.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Lakers are hiring Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham to replace Frank Vogel, who was fired on April 11. Ham, who will be a first-time head coach, will receive a four-year contract.
“Ham made a strong impression on Lakers in several areas, including his championship pedigree, his commanding presence, history of coaching stars and toughness,” Wojnarowski wrote on Twitter. “Ham will start assembling a staff expected to include head coaching experience.”
Ham played eight seasons in the NBA, from 1996 to 2005, winning a championship in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons. Over the past 11 seasons, the 48-year-old has held assistant coaching jobs with the Lakers (2011-13), Atlanta Hawks (2013-18), and Bucks (2018-22).
Shortly after Woj broke the news, LeBron James took to Twitter to share his approval of the Lakers’ hiring.
“So damn EXCITED!!!!!!!!” LeBron wrote. “Congrats and welcome Coach DHam!!”
