Oddsmakers Puzzled By Raptors With No Clearcut Favorite to be Next Head Coach

The Toronto Raptors have no clearcut favorite to be their next head coach with Adrian Griffin, Kenny Atkinson, and Sam Cassell all possibilities, oddsmakers say
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Ime Udoka’s decision to join the Houston Rockets has left oddsmakers puzzled about what the Toronto Raptors will do next.

All indications following Nick Nurse’s dismissal from Toronto suggested the Raptors would be going hard after Udoka to be the team’s next head coach. He’d become the odds-on favorite to replace Nurse as reports from various outlets suggested Toronto was zeroing in on their man. That, however, never came to fruition. As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, “Udoka decided against pursuing the Toronto Raptors job.”

For now, the field appears wide open among possible candidates to be Toronto’s next lead man. Adrian Griffin, who has been with the Raptors for five seasons as an assistant coach, is tied for the favorite at +340 to be Toronto’s next coach, implying a 23% likelihood, according to FanDuel.

Kenny Atkinson, an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, and Sam Cassell, an assistant for the Philadelphia 76ers, are both listed at +340 as well.

Frank Vogel, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers, is listed at +480, implying a 17% chance. He’s followed by Charles Lee, the associate head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, at +750, implying about a 12% chance.

Mike D’Antoni, Mark Jackson, and Stan Van Gundy are all listed as longshots at +1000 and +1400 for the latter two, implying a less than 10% likelihood.

Further Reading

Jerry Stackhouse has characteristics Nick Nurse didn't as Raptors' coaching search continues

With Dame Lillard to the Raptors rumors underway, Toronto faces same old problem

Masai Ujiri provides some clarity on Raptors' Jeff Dowtin Jr. decision


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