The NBA teaching carousel is losing no time moving into full swing this season, with one huge identify out of the blue in the marketplace after weeks of rumors, and a controversial alternative for him already being thought of a high candidate.
The Toronto Raptors fired Nick Nurse on Friday morning, in accordance with a number of reviews. Nurse led the Raptors to one of the crucial unlikely championships in NBA historical past again in 2019, however he’s gained just one playoff sequence since as Kawhi Leonard departed for the Los Angeles Clippers. The Raptors missed the playoffs this season going 41-41, and now Nurse is out.
Nurse reportedly has his subsequent job lined up: he’s anticipated to develop into the brand new head coach of the Houston Rockets. Whereas ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is merely calling Nurse “a distinguished candidate” for the job for the time being, there was buzz across the league that Nurse is anticipated to simply accept the job in Houston now that he’s been fired in Toronto.
The Raptors already may need a front-runner to fill their head teaching emptiness. Ime Udoka is “anticipated to be a severe candidate” for Toronto, in accordance with Woj. Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals final season in his first 12 months as a head coach, however then was suspended by the workforce for allegedly having a romantic affair inside the group. The Celtics lastly fired Udoka in Feb.
Udoka to the Raptors shouldn’t be thought of a performed deal but: he was anticipated to develop into the Brooklyn Nets’ head coach earlier this season after they fired Steve Nash, however that fell by means of. In accordance with reviews, Udoka is anticipated to interview for different vacancies across the league.
One notice on Toronto: some members of the group maintain former Celtics coach Ime Udoka in excessive regard. Udoka, reportedly, has interviewed – or will interview – for a number of different NBA teaching vacancies this offseason.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 21, 2023
The larger query in Toronto is perhaps who’s operating the entrance workplace. The Washington Wizards — who fired lead govt Tommy Sheppard earlier this week — are anticipated to have curiosity in Masai Ujiri, the long-time chief of the Raptors. Washington has had curiosity in Ujiri earlier than. Might they really persuade him to go away Toronto the place he as soon as constructed a championship workforce?
One factor is for positive: the Raptors wanted a brand new voice as head coach. There have been reportedly huge points between Nurse and the entrance workplace as Toronto underwhelmed all season.
Raptors/Nurse had been assembly often. Sticking factors have been lack of bench growth, a play model that yielding supposed outcomes however was overly taxing given minutes for starters & created issues in different areas. Need for extra construction and accountability an element too.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) April 21, 2023
There have been so many rumors that the Raptors may blow up their roster on the commerce deadline, however they really selected so as to add a bit in heart Jakob Poeltl. There’s already one other spherical of rumors that Toronto may commerce away its greatest gamers this offseason and reset. Is Ujiri making that call, or another person?
For now, anticipate Nurse to land in Houston quickly. All eyes might be on the Raptors all through this offseason, at mainly each degree of the group.
