This summer the Toronto Raptors decided to let go of championship head coach Nick Nurse. This was after the Raptors lost in the Play-In Tournament and failed to reach the playoffs.
Toronto then had an extensive head coaching search. The finalists for the head coaching job were Raptors former assistant Sergio Scariolo, Sacramento Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez and Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic.
Ultimately, the team decided to hire Rajakovic, who is now getting his first head coaching gig in the NBA. Rajakovic has been a prominent figure as an assistant coach for teams for almost a decade. NBA insider Mark Medina is in favor of the new Raptors hire:
“The Raptors made a great hire. Rajaković has become a rising star in the NBA’s coaching ranks with Oklahoma City’s G League team, the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies. He also knows the game from an international perspective because of his ties with Serbia.”
Rajakovic was an assistant for the Grizzlies for the past three seasons. He helped develop their young talent in Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.
Rajakovic has some good young talent on the Raptors roster in Scottie Barnes, Gradey Dick, Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby. The hope is that he can get the most out of this roster.
He will be that new voice the Raptors desperately need. Toronto looks to return to the playoffs this season with new head coach Darko Rajakovic leading the charge.
Dennis Schroder reveals why he left Lakers to sign with Toronto in free agency
Another thing on Rajakovic’s agenda is what he’ll do with new point guard Dennis Schroder.
The Raptors signed the German guard to a two-year, $26 million contract to replace Fred VanVleet.
It’ll be Rajakovic’s decision to either start Schroder as point guard or use him as a sixth man off the bench.
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