Raptors news: Sergio Scariolo hypes Darko Rajakovic, top guard mocked to TOR

The Toronto Raptors finally brought an end to one of the longest coaching searches in recent memory. Instead of bringing back former Raptors assistant Sergio Scariolo, Toronto decided to hire Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic, who spent the last four seasons under Taylor Jenkins.

Rajakovic was long thought to be one of the three finalists for the Toronto job, joining Scariolo and former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson. Rajakovic’s history of developing young talent might be what put him in a position to overtake those two more experienced options.

Scariolo had every opportunity to be frustrated with the Raptors for this decision, but he chose instead to take the high road. He was very congratulatory of Rajakovic, who became the second Serbian coach in NBA history following Igor Kokoskov joining the Suns.

Scariolo called Rajakovic a “good friend” and is very happy about the fact he will get an opportunity to prove himself in the NBA. He gave the Raptors a “heartfelt thank you” and called the fact that he was even a contender for the job is “very meaningful.”

More Raptors news

• Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane, who was one of many Memphis players that took a huge step forward under Rajakovic’s watch, was thrilled that one of his favorite assistants was handed a professional job, saying that he “deserves it.” on Twitter. Will any Raptors players be in for a Bane-esque bump in their scoring stats?
• The latest consensus mock draft has the Raptors ending up with Baylor guard Keyonte George at No. 13 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. George is inefficient and a substandard defender, but he is an electric scorer who can be a playmaker during his rookie season.

NBA news

• Jonathan Givony of ESPN reported that “most teams” in the league have Alabama wing Brandon Miller ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft, ranking him over G League point guard Scoot Henderson. Do the Hornets have Miller over Henderson? We can find that out in a few weeks when the NBA Draft comes around.
• The Miami Heat are down three games to one against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals, and the mascot isn’t even safe from any of the recent misfortune. In a bit with former UFC champion Conor McGregor, the performer who portrays the mascot “Burnie” was sent to the emergency room and later released after catching a McGregor punch to the face.