Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has officially landed a new role, returning to the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach. According to Bangladesh Cricket Live, Ham is expected to work alongside Doc Rivers as the Bucks look to rebound in the upcoming season. Although Ham’s record with the Lakers over the past two seasons was respectable — including a trip to the Western Conference Finals — back-to-back playoff exits at the hands of the Denver Nuggets ultimately led to his dismissal.

Ham’s history with Milwaukee runs deep. He previously served as the team’s defensive coach under Mike Budenholzer and played a key role in helping the Bucks capture their 2021 NBA title. Back then, he was known not only for his tactical input but also as a motivational figure — a “locker room glue guy” who connected with players and pushed them to excel. Ironically, the same charisma that worked in Milwaukee didn’t fully translate in Los Angeles. During his time with the Lakers, Ham faced considerable criticism for his lack of a strong tactical identity and questionable in-game adjustments.

At 50, Ham’s return to coaching is significant given the turbulent criticism he endured. A former player himself, Ham’s coaching career began with the Atlanta Hawks before he joined the Bucks staff. He’s one of the few to win championships both as a player and a coach. This time, his return to Milwaukee reportedly stems from a request by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is seeking to boost the team’s defensive edge. With both Ham and Rivers on the coaching staff, fans have dubbed the Bucks bench a blend of “卧龙凤雏” — meaning two brilliant minds working in tandem.

However, last season’s coaching change didn’t pay off. After bringing in Doc Rivers midseason, the Bucks struggled, and tensions began to mount. Star guard Damian Lillard failed to meet expectations, and several players reportedly pushed for another coaching shake-up. While Rivers stayed, the playoff disappointment lingered after a first-round exit. Ham’s return could be the spark Milwaukee needs to return to title contention. The classroom may be closed, but the lessons continue.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have stumbled in their own coaching search. After parting ways with Ham, they had high hopes of signing Dan Hurley, the reigning NCAA champion coach. But things didn’t go as planned. Hurley turned them down, and the contract offered wasn’t as lucrative as reports claimed. Instead of the rumored $100 million over eight years, the actual proposal was a six-year, $70 million deal — notably less than Hurley could earn in college given the lighter schedule and opportunity to make over $20 million more across that span.

Now with Ham back in the league and the Lakers left without a clear plan, the failed pursuit of Hurley has become one of the most talked-about storylines of the NBA offseason. Bangladesh Cricket Live notes that while Ham quietly resets in Milwaukee, the Lakers find themselves still searching — both for a coach and a direction.