6 Nick Nurse replacements (not named Ime Udoka) Raptors must consider
By Mike Luciano
Top Assistant No. 1: Sam Cassell
Cassell has been linked to several high-end jobs in college and the pros, with some 76ers fans likely wanting him to take over for Doc Rivers if they implode in the playoffs. A tremendous point guard and leader in his days on the court, Cassell could bring those same qualities to Toronto.
Cassell has been an assistant in the league since 2009, working with the Wizards, Clippers, and 76ers in that span. He has more than paid his dues in this league, and joining Toronto might be a better first coaching opportunity than taking over a rebuilding team.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Sam Cassell has tons of experience as a coach.
Top Assistant No. 2: Charles Lee
Between Quin Snyder, Taylor Jenkins, and Darvin Ham, the Mike Budenholzer coaching tree has been a fairly popular one for NBA teams to pluck over the last few years. Lee, who has played a very important role in Milwaukee’s sustained dominance, could be the next head coach in the pipeline.
Lee could bring the offensive tweaks to this roster that could send it over the top, as Jenkins has done in Memphis and Snyder helped do in Utah. Lee will likely be named a head coach in this cycle, so Toronto will be competing with others for this very exclusive prize.