Jazz would be wise to hire top Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin

After losing multiple top assistants in Jama Mahlalela and Chris Finch, the Toronto Raptors appeared to have escaped the 2022 head coach hiring cycle without losing one of Nick Nurse’s best deputies in Adrian Griffin. Just when it looked like the staff would stay intact, a contender out west created an opening.

The Utah Jazz have thrown a major wrench into those plans, as they now need a new head coach following the surprising departure of Quin Snyder. Despite getting to the playoffs with regularity, the trio of Snyder, Rudy Gobert, and Donovan Mitchell have not reached the Conference Finals.

The Jazz might need a new voice in the room, as looking at things slightly differently could be the secret ingredient that gets them out of the mud. Griffin has been looking for an opportunity like this since he started coaching in 2008, and he might get his wishes granted this season.

According to Shams Charania, Griffin is on Utah’s shortlist of potential replacements for Snyder. While we were initially nervous about Griffin potentially being named the head coach of the Lakers due to the uncertainty in Los Angeles, the Jazz could be a better place to start his head coaching career.

Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin could join the Utah Jazz.

Unlike the Lakers, Utah has a solid plan for success in the future if Gobert and Mitchell can work things out. With a collection of solid role players like Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic, the Jazz should be considered a playoff lock until someone unseats them in the conference.

Utah’s organizational stability could be very appealing for a first-time head coach. For all of Danny Ainge’s faults, he has continuously built winners in Boston and presided over another playoff year in Utah. Snyder was given eight years to build, meaning Griffin might not get a very quick hook.

Griffin wouldn’t be going to a free agent destination, but he has shown to be a valuable part of a Raptors franchise that isn’t frequently competing for some of the big names. He can help Utah pull off wins by replicating the Nick Nurse system in Salt Lake City.

Griffin has paid his dues at this level and piled up an impressive resume that includes a championship ring on his finger. With Finch having tons of success in Minnesota, Utah would do well to hire him and make him their maypole for the next half-decade.