The Toronto Raptors are hiring Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach Darko Rajakovic as their new head coach, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Raptors parted ways with Nick Nurse after the season ended. Nurse guided the franchise to 2019 championship over the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Rajakovic’s hiring leaves the NBA with no more head-coaching openings.
“The Raptors offered the job to Rajakovic on Saturday and the sides are finalizing a contract that’s expected to be completed soon, sources said,” Woj wrote. “. … The Raptors wanted a coach whom they believed could coach a contending team should the franchise stay on its current path with veterans, or a rebuilding roster should they eventually transform the roster to younger players and draft assets, sources said.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Darko Rajakovic & Toronto Raptors Updates
The Raptors lost the 9-10 play-in game to the Chicago Bulls at home and didn’t make the playoffs this year. Rajakovic arrived from Serbia in 2012 as a G-League head coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder before advancing onto the OKC bench and making stops with the Phoenix Suns and Grizzlies.
Woj reported that the Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson and Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Charles Lee were given serious consideration for the Raptors job. It will be interesting to see how Rajakovic does next season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Darko Rajakovic & Toronto Raptors Updates
It’s unknown what roster Rajakovic will be working with in Toronto. All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. are set to reach free agency this offseason.
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