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Raptors Set to Hire Grizzlies Assistant Darko Rajakovic as Head Coach, per Report

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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies

The Raptors are finalizing a deal to hire Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajaković as the team’s new head coach, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Rajaković, 44, coached in Europe for the start of his career before making the move to America to coach the Tulsa 66ers from 2012 to ’14, becoming the first G League coach born outside the United States. Since 2014, Rajaković has been an assistant with the Thunder, Suns and Grizzlies.

According to Wojnarowski, Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and Bucks assistant Charles Lee were the other finalists for the position. Additionally, the Raptors become the final team this offseason to fill their open head coaching vacancy with the hire.

The Raptors will give the first-time head coach the chance to replace Nick Nurse, who brought Toronto its first championship in 2019 before firing him after the ‘22–23 season. Since 2013, the Raptors have made the playoffs in all but two seasons, which included missing the postseason this past year after losing to the Bulls in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

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