The Toronto Raptors have the benefit of one of the best and most stable coaching staffs in the league, with Nick Nurse at the tip of the spear. However, good things aren’t beautiful because they last, and the wings of change could sweep Nurse out of Canada this offseason.
Rumors of a potential coaching change have been swirling for a bit, but the latest batch appears to be the strongest such hints yet. Not only have some potential Raptors replacements been leaked, but Nurse’s next stop after Toronto has been highlighted by some.
Not only do the Raptors reportedly have their eyes set on former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka, who was suspended and eventually replaced after his improper workplace relationship, but the recent buzz has suggested that Nurse may be interested in joining the Houston Rockets. Nurse’s first statement after the reports became public was jarring.
Nurse said that he is going to “take a few weeks to see where I’m at” in the offseason and reevaluate his coaching career. This sounds like someone who genuinely does not know how much longer he wants to be the coach of the Toronto Raptors, which could throw a wrench into their future plans.
New ESPN story: Before tonight's game here in Philadelphia, Raptors coach Nick Nurse said he's going to "take a few weeks to see where I'm at" at the conclusion of what he called "a difficult season from a number of standpoints."https://t.co/JP8mFT8nu3
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) March 31, 2023
NBA rumors: Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse uncertain over future.
Nurse has already established himself as the greatest coach in franchise history, helping the franchise win a championship and guiding them to the postseason (at least) twice more in the next four seasons. No candidate on the open market would be more sought after.
Houston, who appears done with Stephen Silas, seems like a bit of an odd landing spot unless Nurse wants tons of control over a true reclamation project. While the team has been awful for years, Nurse will get the chance to instill his own culture after tearing the team down to the studs and starting anew.
On one hand, the Raptors would be losing a champion with a proven history of success. While the pessimistic way of looking at this move certainly has merit, the optimistic way will point to Nurse’s shortcomings this season as proof that some realignment is needed.
NEW Raptors Insider from @SmithRaps: Is Nick Nurse destined for the Rockets? Rumours suggest Ime Udoka could replace him in Toronto. https://t.co/Uk2ybuYKc2
— Toronto Star Sports (@StarSports) March 30, 2023
No matter what happens with Nurse, he will forever be a Raptors legend that helped the team win a ring for the first time. Losing him, especially to another NBA team, would certainly sting quite hard, but that possibility is looking more real than ever right now.