The Sacramento Kings are reportedly making a significant addition to their coaching ranks, welcoming D.J. Ham, the son of former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, to their staff. This strategic move aims to bolster the team’s developmental initiatives, bringing in a coach with a background focused on nurturing player talent at the professional level.

D.J. Ham comes to the Kings with recent experience from the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, where he served as a player development coach and video assistant. His tenure with the Cavaliers provided him with valuable insights into the intricate processes of skill refinement and strategic preparation essential for NBA athletes.

This announcement comes as the Sacramento Kings navigate the aftermath of a challenging 2025 NBA season, which saw them conclude with a 40-42 record and narrowly miss out on a spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The team has shown flashes of potential but has yet to consistently break through into the upper echelon of the league.

Despite their recent playoff absence, the Sacramento Kings possess a promising core of players, including dynamic talents such as DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Malik Monk. The integration of a specialized player development coach like D.J. Ham could be pivotal in maximizing the potential of this roster and elevating their collective performance.

The Ham family’s deep roots in the NBA are well-established, with Darvin Ham having enjoyed an eight-season playing career himself, suiting up for franchises including the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, and Indiana Pacers before transitioning into a successful coaching career.

The decision to bring D.J. Ham into the Sacramento Kings coaching staff underscores a clear organizational commitment to enhancing NBA player development. This focus is critical for teams aspiring to contend in the highly competitive Western Conference, where continuous improvement of individual players directly translates to team success.

As the Kings look ahead to future seasons, the addition of D.J. Ham to their coaching cadre could be a key factor in their renewed push for Sacramento Kings playoffs contention. His expertise in NBA coaching and player growth aligns with the team’s aspirations to solidify their position as a formidable force in the league, generating considerable NBA news within the coaching landscape.