Feb 13, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward DeMarre Carroll (9) celebrates with his teammates after making a 3-point basket to force a third overtime against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images David Richard-Imagn Images

Former Lakers Coach Joins Suns as Assistant

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ricardo Klein | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 7:27 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers have a massive summer ahead of them. They will do all they can to build a championship roster that perfectly complements their superstar guard Luka Doncic.

The Lakers will be at the forefront of things this summer. While that is the case, many other teams will look to bolster their roster and even the coaching staff. One of those teams that recently added to their coaching staff is the Lakers' rival, the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns recently hired a new head coach, Jordan Ott. Ott became the 23rd head coach in franchise history. He is currently building his staff, and he decided to add former Lakers assistant coach, DeMarre Carroll.

Micahel Scotto of HoopsHype shared the news via X.

“Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott has added DeMarre Carroll as an assistant coach on his bench, league sources told @hoopshype. Ott coached Carroll with the Brooklyn Nets and both worked together as assistant coaches for the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.”

JUST IN: Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott has added DeMarre Carroll as an assistant coach on his bench, league sources told @hoopshype. Ott coached Carroll with the Brooklyn Nets and both worked together as assistant coaches for the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. pic.twitter.com/MWgEJc20qB
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 12, 2025

The former player-turned-coach kicked off his coaching journey with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022, joining Mike Budenholzer’s staff — whom he had previously played for during his stint with the Atlanta Hawks.

After one season in Milwaukee, the Lakers brought Carroll aboard as an assistant under then-head coach Darvin Ham.

Carroll, the 27th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Missouri, spent 11 years in the league with stops in Memphis, Houston, Denver, Utah, Atlanta, Toronto, Brooklyn, and San Antonio. He now reunites with another former coach in Kenny Atkinson, who coached him with the Nets from 2017-19.

Last offseason, the Lakers lost Carroll to Atkinson’s staff in Cleveland — and that move paid off. The Cavaliers flourished this past year, finishing with a 64-18 record, the No. 1 seed in the East, and the second-best mark in the league overall. Although they fell short in the playoffs, the Cavaliers are expected to be back to contending for a title next season.

Over the course of his NBA career, Carroll appeared in 578 games, averaging 8.9 points while shooting 43 percent from the floor.

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For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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