Global Courant
The Toronto Raptors are in the process of finalizing a contract with Memphis assistant Darko Rajakovic to become the team’s next coach, a person knowledgeable said Saturday.
The team and Rajakovic reached an agreement in principle that he would become the franchise’s 10th head coach on Saturday, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as final details are pending.
ESPN first reported that Rajakovic had been hired.
ESPN Sources: The Toronto Raptors finalize a deal to hire Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic as the franchise’s next coach. pic.twitter.com/AEPU64p2F2
Rajakovic, 44, replaces Nick Nurse, who led Toronto to the NBA title in 2019, scoring 227-163 in his five seasons with the Raptors. The Raptors fired Nurse in April shortly after a season in which Toronto went 41-41 and lost in the play-in tournament.
Rajakovic is Serbian and has been involved in coaching since his late teens. He gained summer league and consulting experience with the San Antonio Spurs, began coaching in the G League (then called the NBA Development League) in 2012, and spent the past nine seasons as an assistant with Oklahoma City, Phoenix and Memphis.
“Congratulations and good luck to my good friend, coach (at) DRajakovic!” tweeted former Toronto assistant and Spain national coach Sergio Scariolo – who was also being considered for the job. “Great choice, it’s great to see a European coach get the chance to prove his worth as an NBA HC! Many thanks to the Raptors, receiving this appreciation from what my team has been has been very meaningful!”
With the hiring of Rajakovic, all 30 NBA coaching positions are currently filled. There have been six signings since the end of the season: Ime Udoka in Houston, Nurse in Philadelphia, Monty Williams in Detroit, Adrian Griffin in Milwaukee, Frank Vogel in Phoenix – replacing Williams, and now Rajakovic.
Of the 30 teams in the league, 19 have changed coaches at some point in the past two years.
