Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse recently reacted to NBA rumors of the Los Angeles Lakers’ interest in acquiring him.
The Lakers fired coach Frank Vogel shortly after the conclusion of the team’s disappointing season. Since then, reports have emerged detailing the Lakers’ interest in varying coaching candidates. Los Angeles has interest in the Raptors’ Nick Nurse, according to reports.
Nurse and the Raptors just concluded their season with a six-game round one loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Nurse has coached Toronto for four seasons, and according to his reaction to the Lakers’ rumors, plans to continue in Toronto.
Nick Nurse recently responded to the rumors in a straightforward manor. “I don’t know where that stuff comes from and I’m focused on coaching this team,” the coach said.
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Nurse has led the Raptors to one championship in his Toronto tenure. The team underwent a short rebuild following their Finals win, and is back to playoff contention.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are in the midst of a collapse following their Finals win, which came just one year after the Toronto Raptors’. Los Angeles fell in the first round in 2021 and missed the playoffs entirely in 2022. The team doesn’t hold their lottery pick, either – New Orleans traded for it as part of the Anthony Davis trade.
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It’s unclear what Los Angeles could offer that would pry Nurse from Toronto. Nurse’s comments confirm it would be unlikely.
Another candidate the Lakers have interest in is Philadelphia 76ers’ coach Doc Rivers, according to reports. Rivers is currently under fire in Philly for his rotation decisions in the absence of Joel Embiid.
Continuing to turn to DeAndre Jordan despite daunting +/- numbers, Rivers may wear out his welcome in Philadelphia and become a more realistic candidate for the Lakers.
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The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason will require filling many needs. The coaching search will likely be the first addressed. Based on Nurse’s comments, though, it’s unlikely he’s the answer for LA.