The Milwaukee Bucks wrapped up their 2024-25 season with a 48-34 record and secured a spot in the playoffs. Despite high hopes for a deep postseason run, their campaign came to a crashing halt in the first round at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, losing the series 4-1.
Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo putting up 33.0 points per game in the playoffs, Milwaukee couldn’t push past Indiana. As the offseason began, rumors began swirling around a potential Antetokounmpo departure. While those talks have started to cool, a new concern has emerged, and it involves the Bucks’ coaching staff, not their star.
Two Teams Are Eyeing Milwaukee Bucks Lead Assistant Coach Darvin Ham
According to the latest report from NBA insider Marc Stein on his “The Stein Line” Substack, two prominent franchises, the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks, are pursuing Bucks lead assistant coach Darvin Ham for a potential hire.
“Phoenix and now New York, after the hiring of Mike Brown as the Knicks’ new head coach, have expressed interest in trying to hire Darvin Ham away from the Bucks, The Stein Line has learned,” wrote Stein in his report.
The interest from both franchises makes sense given Ham’s proven track record and recent success in Milwaukee. However, the Bucks aren’t planning to let him walk without a fight.
Stein’s report emphasizes that the Bucks are determined to keep Ham unless he receives a head coaching offer elsewhere. The key distinction here is that both Phoenix and New York would represent lateral moves rather than promotions.
“Yet those would be considered lateral moves for Ham, who is Milwaukee’s top assistant to Doc Rivers,” Stein wrote. “I’m told the Bucks love having Ham back in their midst after his two-season stint as the Lakers’ head coach and are determined to keep him in Brewtown unless he secures another head coaching opportunity elsewhere.”
This puts Ham in an interesting position. While assistant coaching roles with the Suns and Knicks might offer different opportunities or compensation packages, they wouldn’t advance his career trajectory the way another head coaching position would.
Ham’s Playing Career and Coaching Journey Built His Reputation
Ham’s résumé offers plenty of reasons for teams to be interested. Not only has he proven himself as a coach, but he also has NBA experience as a player, giving him credibility with current stars.
Ham played eight seasons in the league, suiting up for six different teams, including stints with the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. Over his career, he averaged 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. During his three-season run in Milwaukee, those numbers jumped to 4.4 points and 3.7 rebounds.
His playing experience in Milwaukee creates an additional connection to the organization. Players often respond well to coaches who understand the grind of being an NBA player, and Ham’s history with the franchise adds another layer to his relationship with the current roster.
Ham’s coaching journey began in October 2008 when he was named an assistant coach for the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, a G League affiliate. He later took over as their head coach, learning the ropes in the developmental league before making his way to the NBA.
The transition from player to coach isn’t always smooth, but Ham’s willingness to start in the G League showed his commitment to learning the craft properly. That foundation served him well as he climbed the coaching ranks.
Ham’s first major break in the NBA came when he was named head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in June 2022. Over two seasons, he led the team to a 90-74 regular season record and a trip to the 2023 Western Conference Finals.
Have y’all ever seen Darvin Ham engaged into the game like this??? pic.twitter.com/y78IO9GukV
— ✧.* (@HoodiiBron) April 23, 2024
However, after a disappointing first-round playoff exit in 2024 to the Denver Nuggets, criticism mounted regarding his in-game decisions and player relationships, notably with LeBron James. He was ultimately fired on May 3, 2024.
The Lakers experience taught Ham valuable lessons about managing superstars and handling the pressure that comes with coaching a championship-caliber team. Those lessons have proven valuable in his current role with Milwaukee.
“It’s great for the league and me personally. I’ve been super-duper excited to be a part of both. The inaugural and now this one. Two generational talents in both Bron and Giannis. Lead one and ride shotgun for the other,” said Ham last year.
Just a month later, Ham found his way back to Milwaukee, this time as the lead assistant under Doc Rivers. His return proved valuable as he played a pivotal role in the Bucks’ 2024 NBA Cup victory and was praised for building strong relationships with key players like Antetokounmpo.
The NBA Cup success showed that Ham could contribute meaningfully even without the head coaching title. His ability to connect with Antetokounmpo and other key players has been crucial to Milwaukee’s chemistry this season.
Now, as the Suns and Knicks circle, the Bucks find themselves in a familiar position: fighting to retain valuable personnel while navigating the complex dynamics of NBA team building. Ham’s decision will likely come down to whether he values stability in Milwaukee or sees an opportunity for growth elsewhere, even in a lateral move.
