3 reasons Raptors would be fools not to hire Monty Williams

2. Player relations

Williams has been in both penny-pinching situations where he had to get the most out of a young roster and on a contending team making aggressive win-now moves. His success in both roles should make him an ideal candidate for a Raptors team trying to combine two different philosophies.

Williams helped Paul develop into an All-Time great, made Devin Booker one of the best in the game at his position, and had the Suns humming when Durant was in the lineup. Toronto has stars to maximize, like Pascal Siakam, but they also need to develop dynamite youngsters like Scottie Barnes. Hiring Williams helps both of them.

Monty Williams will help Toronto Raptors players like Scottie Barnes.

Williams has received some strong endorsements from names like Booker, and his play has ticked up since Williams was hired. Imagine Barnes or Fred VanVleet getting the same sort of bump in a Williams scheme. Nurse clearly faltered when it came to making sure all of his stars were satisfied.

Williams seemed to be doing a fairly good job of accomplishing his intersecting goals of player development and winning games this season, though the poor performance in the Denver series prompted what might be considered an overreaction by new ownership. Williams could instead bring his tried and true methods to a Toronto team in need of the structure and relationship-building he has mastered.