Raptors news: Sergio Scariolo linked to HC job, Paul Pierce backs Nick Nurse

The Toronto Raptors appear to finally be kicking their coaching search into high gear. Names like Kenny Atkinson and Becky Hammon are among the names that have populated the early list of Toronto’s coaching candidates that could end up sliding into the main spot.

While Scariolo has a great deal of respect within that organization, many thought that his journey back to Europe marked the end of his NBA career. The latest rumblings have blown that theory totally out of the water. Could a return be in the cards?

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Raptors might interview Scariolo as a part of what promises to be a very deep and thorough coaching search. Scariolo is a former Raptors assistant, though he has done most of his best work as a coach in Europe.

The 62-year-old Italian is currently pulling double duty as the head coach of both Italian club side Virtus Bologna and the Spanish national team. While this would be an unorthodox hire that some fans might not like, it would show that Ujiri is committed to his old philosophies, for better or worse.

More Raptors news

• NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce was confused by the Raptors decision to part ways with Nick Nurse.
• “That’s surprising, though,” Pierce said, via ShowTime. “Dude won the championship there. I think he overachieved in Toronto. Cause when Kawhi left, they had no expectations. And so they’ve been competitive for years, even without a superstar.”
• Eric Koreen of the Athletic believes that the Raptors are likely to retain Fred VanVleet in the offseason, perhaps at the cost of guard Gary Trent Jr. VanVleet had his share of critics this season after many took issue with his inefficient play.

NBA news

• The Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings are locked into a seventh game in what promises to be a hectic conclusion to their series. Golden State blowing a huge 19-point lead despite the fact they had the benefit of playing at home is a pretty tough way to end up in this situation.
• The Los Angeles Lakers put the finishing touches on Ja Morant, one-time Raptors trade target Dillon Brooks, and the Memphis Grizzlies, riding LeBron James and Anthony Davis to a 4-2 series victory and a 40-point demolition of a Memphis team that showed little to no fight in the final game of this series.