Report: Adrian Griffin a 'Name to Keep an Eye on' as NBA Coaching Carousel Nears

Toronto Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin is reportedly a name to watch as the potential next head coach of the Detroit Pistons

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Griffin's time as an NBA head coach may finally be on the horizon.

The Toronto Raptors assistant coach is reportedly a name to keep an eye on in the coming days, especially if the Detroit Pistons part ways with former Raptors head coach Dwane Casey, according to Yahoo's Jake Fischer.

Griffin was hired by Toronto back in 2018 following Casey's departure from the organization and the promotion of Nick Nurse to head coach that summer. He's repeatedly had his name mentioned as a potential head coach and has received interviews in the past but has yet to earn a head coaching job in the league.

Earlier this season, Griffin was tabbed with taking over the head coaching job for Toronto while Nurse attended to a personal matter for two games. He also coached the Raptors for one game back in the Orlando Bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think Adrian is right there on the cusp of becoming a head coach in this league," Raptors president Masai Ujiri said during his season-ending media availability last year. "Nick has done a great job developing these guys and we encourage it as much as we can."

Griffin spent nine seasons as an NBA player with the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and Seattle SuperSonics. He has since been an assistant coach for Milwaukee, Chicago, Orlando, Oklahoma City, and Toronto.

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