10 best replacements for Nick Nurse as Toronto Raptors coach
By Mike Luciano
4. Sam Cassell, Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach
Cassell has been plugging away as an assistant for a very long time, and he might get his chance if the Raptors come calling. Cassell has played a major role in making Joel Embiid and James Harden a duo capable of winning a title, showing he can work well with star players.
Houston, where Cassell excelled as a player, might have an interest in him. If Doc Rivers hangs it up, Cassell could be a natural successor. It will take a lot to pry him away from Philly, but that doesn’t mean that Toronto shouldn’t give it a whirl and add him.
Can the Toronto Raptors keep Adrian Griffin?
3. Adrian Griffin, Toronto Raptors assistant coach
Ujiri was very open about the fact that the assistant coach parade might not return, but Griffin has been such an excellent coach that Toronto might need to keep him around. After 15 straight years on various NBA benches, Griffin has earned a crack at a head coaching job.
Griffin interviewed for two head coaching jobs last season, and the Pistons are poking around him in this cycle. Some team will snatch him up if the Raptors do not. After winning a title by promoting Nurse internally, Griffin might be an attempt by the front office to catch lightning in a bottle twice.