Raptors' Odds of Hiring 76ers Assistant Sam Cassell
The Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and the Detroit Pistons recently exited the head coaching market. The Bucks wrapped up their search for a new head coach last weekend when it became clear that they would bring in Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin to take the lead to replace Mike Budenholzer.
Two days after the Bucks hired Griffin, the Sixers wrapped up their few-week-long search to replace Doc Rivers by agreeing to terms with former Raptors head coach Nick Nurse.
After Sixers hired Nurse, the Pistons wrapped up their search by signing Monty Williams to a mega deal. Then on Friday, the Suns completed their hunt for a new head coach by landing Frank Vogel.
With the Sixers, Bucks, Pistons, and Suns off the board, that leaves the Toronto Raptors as the final team on the hunt for a head coach.
After parting ways with Nurse, it became clear the Raptors might be on a similar path to a team that’s re-tooling or rebuilding rather than a championship contender. Therefore, the Raptors didn’t need to rush the process of finding somebody to take over right away.
As the search for a new head coach continues for Toronto, is Sam Cassell in the hunt? Let’s take a look a look at the odds.
For the Raptors’ job, Cassell ranks low, according to BetOnline. With odds set at 22/1, only three prospects rank behind him. One of them happens to be another Sixers assistant, Dave Joerger. Above Cassell, there are 14 prospects with better odds. Steve Nash is the favorite at 3/1, with Sergio Scariolo behind him at 9/2. Former Sixers guard JJ Redick places third, with 5/1 odds.
So far, there hasn’t been any indication that Cassell or Joerger are relevant in the Raptors’ search for a new head coach. But since Cassell has received some interest from other organizations over the last few months, he could be viewed as a potential sleeper candidate.
