This past season, Darvin Ham was a first-year head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, and, at times, his inexperience showed.
Some fans criticized him for some of his schemes on both ends of the floor, as well as for some of his rotations and lineups. One glaring example was his insistence on rolling out three-guard lineups, as well as his tendency to go small at the center spot when Anthony Davis was resting.
Ultimately, Ham navigated his growing pains and did a solid job by guiding Los Angeles to the Western Conference finals despite starting 2-10 and being under .500 until late March.
He will have a new member on his coaching staff for his second season; DeMarre Carroll will join him on the bench.
The Lakers are hiring DeMarre Carroll as an asst coach on Darvin Ham's staff, sources told ESPN. Carroll worked for Mike Budenholzer in MIL last season. Ham, Carroll and Bud were all in Atlanta together when ATL went 60-22 w/ Carroll as the starting SF and was No. 1 in the East
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 3, 2023
Carroll is a former NBA player who spent 11 seasons in the league. He played for Ham, who was then an assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer, on the Atlanta Hawks for two seasons in the mid-2010s.
