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Indiana Pacers: 6 top head coaching candidates to consider

By Corey Rausch

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Nate McMillan and Doug McDermott #20 of the Indiana Pacers react to a call during the second half against the Miami Heat at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Nate McMillan and Doug McDermott #20 of the Indiana Pacers react to a call during the second half against the Miami Heat at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Darvin Ham

Another former player turned decorated, up-and-coming coach, Darvin Ham should be the next head coach to shake free from the Mike Budenholzer coaching tree. The success speaks for itself with Quin Snyder, Kenny Atkinson and Taylor Jenkins making their teams better and establishing cultures.

Darvin Ham started as an NBA assistant coach in 2011 with the Los Angeles Lakers under Mike Brown and survived to coach under Bernie Bickerstaff and Mike D’Antoni before moving on the Atlanta Hawks with Bud and has been with him ever since.

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Ham is a former NBA champion and has been a beloved teammate and has built a focus on player development and locker room chemistry.

Rather than having the pedigree as a star player Ham brings a different kind of perspective. He is a grinder as a player and made it as a role player and veteran presence for nearly 10 seasons. He has cultivated relationships with the top players in the league (coaching All-Stars in Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, Al Horford and Giannis Antetokounmpo) and has thrived in development when he cut his teeth in the D-League.

Of all the Bud assistants, Ham fits this team the best. It is a clean slate and he has been with Budenholzer long enough to realize how to adopt elite offensive squads while not letting anything go on the defensive end of the ball. It is the next step Indiana is looking for.

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