The Toronto Raptors are on the hunt for a new head coach after parting ways with Nick Nurse, who led the team to an NBA championship in 2019. One potential replacement being considered by the Raptors is retired NBA player and current broadcaster JJ Redick, according to reports from Sportsnet Canada and ESPN.
Redick has expressed a desire to transition into coaching and has already been interviewed by the Raptors. However, Toronto’s search for a new coach is expected to be broad in scope, with several top assistants among the pool of candidates. The team has already received permission to interview assistants from various teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and Miami Heat.
The Raptors are also reportedly considering former Spurs assistant and current Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon for the position. Hammon made history as the first woman to serve as head coach of an NBA Summer League team and was on the Spurs’ coaching staff for eight seasons before leading the Aces to a WNBA title in 2022.
In addition to outside candidates, the Raptors are also considering promoting assistant coach Adrian Griffin to the head coaching role.
Nurse coached the Raptors for five seasons, amassing a 227-163 record and winning the NBA championship in 2019. He was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2020. Despite the team’s mediocre 41-41 record in the 2022-23 season, the Raptors offer an intriguing roster and established talent for their new coach to work with, including Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and OG Anunoby.
In a statement announcing Nurse’s departure, Raptors president Masai Ujiri thanked him for his contributions to the franchise’s success and expressed his excitement for the team’s future. “This is an opportunity for us to reset, to refocus, to put into place the personnel and the players who will help us reach our goal of winning our next championship,” Ujiri said.
As the Raptors continue their search for a new head coach, the team’s fans and players await eagerly to see who will lead them to future success.
Sharpshooter to Shot Caller: Assessing JJ Redick’s Potential as an NBA Head Coach
Former NBA player and current broadcaster JJ Redick has been interviewed by the Toronto Raptors as a potential replacement for recently-fired head coach Nick Nurse. Redick, who retired in 2021, has expressed a desire to pursue coaching, and his experience as a player could bring a unique perspective to the team. His knowledge of 3-point shooting could also help improve the team’s offense, which struggled under Nurse’s formula.
Hiring someone with little coaching experience is not unprecedented, as Steve Kerr, Larry Bird, and Doc Rivers all found success in coaching despite being new to the job. However, the Raptors face a challenging situation, with several key players potentially leaving in free agency and others in need of new contracts soon. Redick would need to hit the ground running and prove his ability to help develop young players.
The Raptors have been deliberate in their search for a new coach, focusing on finding someone who fits their developmental timeline and has a strong history of helping players improve. While Redick’s coaching skills are unknown, his experience as a player and unique perspective could make him a strong candidate for the job.
