Bucks' Darvin Ham Reportedly Targeted by Knicks, Suns for Top Assistant Coach Openings

The New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns are interested in hiring Milwaukee Bucks top assistant Darvin Ham for their vacancies regarding the same role, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Ham leaving Milwaukee for another assistant coaching position may not materialize, though.

Per Stein, the Bucks "love" having Ham back with the organization and are "determined" to keep him with the team unless he's able to find a head coaching opportunity.

He previously served as an assistant on the Bucks from 2018-22 before leaving to become head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Ham finished with a 90-74 record in two years with the Lakers, helping the team reach the 2023 Western Conference Finals. He was eventually fired after Los Angeles suffered a first-round playoff defeat in the ensuing season.

The Knicks hired Mike Brown as their next head coach on Wednesday.

Brown has held head coaching roles with three separate teams, which included a stint with the Lakers from their 2011-12 campaign until the start of the 2012-13 season. Ham was an assistant on Los Angeles' staff at the time.

Lakers ties also exist between Ham and Jordan Ott, the Phoenix Suns' new head coach.

Ott was an assistant on the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2024-25 season, but was part of Ham's staff when he served as Los Angeles' head coach from 2022-24.

While the Knicks and Suns are reportedly eyeing Ham, the Bucks may not be willing to part ways with him.