The Los Angeles Lakers have been formally granted permission by the Milwaukee Bucks to interview Darvin Ham for LA's head coaching vacancy.

The Los Angeles Times first reported that the Lakers, as expected, officially received the go-ahead from Milwaukee. The Athletic initially reported that the Lakers requested permission from the Bucks.

Ham has been on the Bucks bench since 2018, helping them win an NBA championship in 2020-21. He earned a ring as a player with the Detroit Pistons in 2004 (here's Ham checking LeBron James).

Ham served as a Lakers assistant from 2011-13, which could give him an advantage, as the Lakers tend to favor familiar faces. Ham then spent five successful seasons on the Atlanta Hawks coaching staff.

The 48-year-old has long been considered one of the most popular and best assistant coaches in basketball — and a future head coaching candidate. He has interviewed with or was considered for previous head coaching vacancies with the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Boston Celtics.

The Bucks just began their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Celtics on Saturday, so it's unclear precisely when Ham would interview with Los Angeles.

On exit interview day, Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said the Lakers want a coach in place by the NBA Draft (June 23). He said the Lakers would be looking for a coach with a “strong voice” who can command a room of stars and veterans. Brown, Nick Nurse, Doc Rivers, Mark Jackson, and Quin Snyder are among the many names whom the Lakers are reportedly considering.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers, uniquely, will conduct extensive interviews with a small handful of candidates (including Ham), then move on to the next batch.

Ham played 417 games across eight NBA seasons. Here he is shattering a backboard at Texas Tech in 1993.