:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67590460/1267709024.jpg.0.jpg)
As the coaching carousel continues to swing during this weird NBA offseason, many teams have jettisoned veteran head coaches in search of fresh blood: enter Darvin Ham. The longtime Mike Budenholzer assistant who made his way from Atlanta to Milwaukee has been Bud’s lead assistant for some time. It’s been seven years since Ham first linked up with Bud, and he’s been linked to several coaching positions over the years. Now, it appears he’s in the running for the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers positions, per Malika Andrews of ESPN.
Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham is set to interview for the Clippers head coaching job this week, sources told ESPN. Ham, who is also a finalist for the Pacers’ head coaching spot, will meet in person with the Indiana brass over the next few days.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) October 6, 2020
Darvin Ham also interviewed for the Bulls opening earlier this year before they ultimately went with the veteran Billy Donovan. He interviewed with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. Thus far, it’s been always the bridesmaid, never the bride for Ham. He featured in Kevin Arnovitz’s annual list of intriguing coaching candidates for the third time now. He also watched another of Bud’s assistants, Taylor Jenkins, get hired in Memphis last season and experience relatively runaway success compared to expectations coming in.
It has to be frustrating for Ham to continue to miss out on these opportunities, particularly as a Black assistant coach. Currently, there are only five Black head coaches in the league between Doc Rivers in Philly, Lloyd Pierce in Atlanta, Dwane Casey in Detroit, Monty Williams in Phoenix and J.B. Bickerstaff in Cleveland. I’m doubtful he will get the Clippers job given the heightened expectations there, but here’s hoping he might land the Indiana Pacers gig.