Will Raptors Consider 76ers Assistants to Replace Nick Nurse?

With Nick Nurse out from the Toronto Raptors, will they consider any 76ers assistants as his replacement?

After missing the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the Toronto Raptors made a notable change by parting ways with their head coach, Nick Nurse. With Nurse getting fired, the Raptors were set to launch a wide search for the team’s new head coach.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Raptors have received permission to interview several assistant coaches for their new opening.

So far, several names have been linked to the job. Per Wojnarowski, Golden State Warriors’ Kenny Atkinson, Milwaukee Bucks’ Charles Lee, Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Young, San Antonio Spurs’ Mitch Johnson, Sacramento Kings’ Jordi Fernandez, Memphis Grizzlies’ Darko Rajakovic, and Miami Heat’s Chris Quinn have all been granted permission to interview for the Raptors’ job.

In addition to other NBA assistants, the Raptors will also look internally and plan to interview one of Nurse’s assistants Adrian Griffin along with Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon of the WNBA. 

So far, the Philadelphia 76ers don’t have any assistants planning to interview for the Toronto job, but that could change soon. As Wojnarowski added that the Raptors are “requesting permission” to talk to other coaches, that could lead the Raptors to consider somebody from Doc Rivers’ staff.

Recently, Sam Cassell received interest from the Houston Rockets. After Houston moved on from Stephen Silas, the Sixers granted the Rockets permission to bring in Cassell for an interview, which reportedly took place last weekend.

Not long after Cassell interviewed for the position, it was filled by former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, who was also an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, and the Sixers previously. 

Considering Cassell is no stranger to garnering interest from organizations in need of a new head coach, he could pop up on Toronto’s radar at some point. 

If not Cassell, the Sixers have another potential candidate in the fold, as Dave Joerger has served as one of Doc Rivers’ top assistants over the last few years and has prior head coaching experience. For now, the Raptors will focus on their initial list before expanding in the coming days.