10 best replacements for Nick Nurse as Toronto Raptors coach

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 07: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 07: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors, Jerry Stackhouse
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – JANUARY 22: head coach Jerry Stackhouse of the Vanderbilt Commodores (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

6. Patrick Mutombo, Phoenix Suns assistant coach

Mutombo was a Raptors assistant from 2016-2020 under both Nurse and Dwane Casey before becoming an incredibly successful G League Coach with Raptors 905. The organization knows him like the back of their proverbial hand and clearly missed his presence this season.

Mutombo might be third on the Suns’ pecking order on the bench, as Monty Williams and assistant Kenny Young might have elevated roles right now. Mutombo would be a risky move that doesn’t signal a huge change in day-to-day operations, but he does make some sense.

Will Jerry Stackhouse return to the Toronto Raptors?

5. Jerry Stackhouse, Vanderbilt head coach

Like Mutombo, Stackhouse started off as a Raptors assistant before taking ownership of Raptors 905. If the former All-Star is sick of sucking up to boosters at the collegiate level in Nashville, he could make the jump back to the pros and take over the Raptors.

While some critics might take issue with Toronto hiring someone with a losing record at Vanderbilt, the fact he’s recruited pro players and got the NIT twice despite the lack of resources around him and the program he walked into is impressive. Stackhouse may have more wins with better infrastructure around him.