Ime Udoka Considered Leading Outside Candidate for Next Raptors Coach, Odds Say

The Toronto Raptors have been closely tied to Ime Udoka who is the frontrunner to take over the organization should Nick Nurse be dismissed

Aaron Rose | Apr 4, 2023

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

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Toronto Raptors

Nick Nurse still remains the most likely candidate to be the head coach of the Toronto Raptors next season but the odds are narrowing.

As of Monday, Nurse's departure from the team is now considered more likely than not, according to Bodog. He's listed at -220 to be replaced this summer, implying a 69% likelihood Toronto opts to part ways with its championship-winning head coach.

If Nurse is replaced, former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka has now become the favorite to replace him, oddsmakers say.

Udoka, who is currently serving a one-year suspension for multiple violations of Celtics team policy, is listed as +175 to become Toronto's next head coach, conveying a 36% chance he takes over the organization next season. The 45-year-old led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season before allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate staff member led to his suspension, according to ESPN and The Athletic.

Toronto previously interviewed Udoka, then an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, for its head coaching job in 2018 following the dismissal of Dwane Casey. The Raptors eventually opted to hire Nurse and Udoka was hired by the Celtics.

Udoka has been connected to the Raptors and whispers around the league suggest he's the "front-runner" for the job, according to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star.

Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin is the next most likely candidate at +550 to become the next coach in Toronto, implying a 15% chance. He stepped in to coach for Nurse twice earlier in the season when the Raptors' coach was away from the team attending to a personal matter.

"I think Adrian is right there on the cusp of becoming a head coach in this league," Raptors president and vice-chairman Masai Ujiri said following last season.

Sam Cassell, Kenny Atkinson, Earl Watson, Charles Lee, and Frank Vogel are all considered long shots between +850 and +950, implying approximately a 10% chance they become Toronto's next coach.

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