Sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the Los Angeles Lakers have hired Darvin Ham as their new head coach.
He served as an assistant for the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Lakers. Mike Budenholzer has been his coach since 2013 when the pair played for the Atlanta Hawks.
He has already worked for a Los Angeles team before. In 2011, he worked as an assistant for the Lakers. Los Angeles finished 33-49 and missed the playoffs last season under his direction. He replaces Frank Vogel, who was fired after the season.
One of the first players to welcome his new coach to the Lakers was LeBron James.
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.