Now that the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly hired Darvin Ham to be their next head coach, the next item of business is for him to decide who to hire to his staff.
It appears Ham will be given autonomy to pick his own assistants, which seems to be a change from how the Lakers have operated in the recent past.
When they last looked for a head coach in 2019, senior basketball adviser Kurt Rambis reportedly wanted to dictate who would be hired as assistants, which prompted Ty Lue and Monty Williams to turn down the job.
Former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts, who was one of L.A.’s final three candidates along with Ham, made it clear during the interview process that he would not be interested in being an assistant should he lose out on the head coaching job.
Via Los Angeles Times:
“According to sources, Stotts was asked previously if he would have interest in joining the Lakers as an assistant should he not be hired as a head coach. Stotts, sources said, told the team that he has no interest in a role as a lead assistant.
“Stotts was approached about joining Frank Vogel in that role last season on the Lakers’ bench and also declined, sources said.”
Stotts had been at the helm of the Blazers for nine seasons before leaving following the 2020-21 campaign. He is regarded as a stellar offensive tactician, which would’ve made him a nice addition to Ham’s staff.
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