In a twist of fate that would have seemed completely ridiculous just a few months ago, the Toronto Raptors may need to be in the head coaching market when the offseason comes around. The latest comments from Nick Nurse make it sound like he is genuinely considering leaving the team.
Not only has Nurse explicitly said that he needs to start reassessing his basketball future in the wake of the latest moves, but rumors that he could eventually take the Houston Rockets job have not subsided. This would be one unceremonious way to end his Raptors tenure.
While some of the latest rumors seem to hint at the Raptors hiring Ime Udoka to replace Nurse in their dream scenario. While he did get to the finals, Boston’s performance without him and the PR nightmare that would ensue might force Toronto to say no to such a bold move.
It doesn’t matter if the Raptors promote one of their top internal assistants, bring in a top assistant from a highly regarded staff, or hire someone that has been a head coach in the past. The market is teeming with solid options that can make an immediate impact without the Udoka backlash.
Toronto Raptors rumors: 6 coaches to replace Nick Nurse
Internal Option No. 1: Adrian Griffin
Griffin, who received consideration for the vacant Jazz job last season, has been considered a premium head coaching candidate for years. If the Raptors want to stay internal, keep the boat relatively unrocked, and replace Nurse with Griffin, this move makes a ton of sense.
Griffin has often stood in for Nurse when the coach has been unable to go, and he has done a fairly solid job of it. If he is on board with what Ujiri wants from a philosophical point of view while bringing his own unique twists to things, Toronto may not even need to start looking for external candidates.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Adrian Griffin should be a head coach.
Internal Option No. 2: Earl Watson
Watson is a very puzzling case. On one hand, he has received extremely strong testimonials from former players like Devin Booker that credit him with playing an instrumental role in his development as a player. On the other hand, it is hard to ignore how bad his stint as head coach of the Phoenix Suns was.
Watson’s viability hinges almost entirely on how much Toronto believes his lack of success in Phoenix was due to being dealt a lousy hand of players. If he can coach prime Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes, wins might be a bit easier to come by in his second go-around.
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.
Retread No. 1: Kenny Atkinson
Atkinson, who was head coach of the Brooklyn Nets and did a masterful job of rebuilding them in the pre-Kevin Durant era, is currently an assistant with the Golden State Warriors. Atkinson turned down the Charlotte Hornets job last offseason, showing that he is willing to hold out for the right opportunity.
Atkinson’s Nets teams weren’t always the sharpest on defense, but they did have a very fun, high-flying offense that featured tons of 3-pointers. This could be enough to get Toronto interested, as he could take a stagnant group to the next level on that end.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Kenny Atkinson is a desirable candidate.
Retread No. 2: Frank Vogel
Vogel may not be regarded as a high-end coach and someone who was just along for the LeBron James ride, but you don’t win a championship by complete accident with no coaching acumen. It was Vogel who helped make those mid-2010s Pacers and bubble Lakers two of the best defensive teams in the league.
Vogel will likely get a head coaching job whenever he gets back in the NBA, and the Raptors seem like as good a place as any for him. With a strong defense already in place, the Raptors could replace one coach that already has a championship ring with another.