Raptors' Coach Nick Nurse Downplays Rumors To Rockets: 'I Love It Here'

HOUSTON — The rumors of Nick Nurse to the Houston Rockets began floating around a month before the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign. And soon after, Nurse had to address his future by stating he would take the upcoming off-season to contemplate his future as coach of the Toronto Raptors.

But following the Raptors' 109-105 Play-In Tournament loss to the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night inside Scotiabank Arena, Nurse's off-season began sooner than expected.

"Masai [Ujiri] really wants to win, I really want to win," Nurse said. "We're driving to try to figure out how to get back to a championship level. Again, our communication is open.

"I love it here, we've built a really strong culture. We've got to all evaluate how we can get that culture back to where we need it and get back to being a playoff team."

With one season left on his contract, Nurse was adamant that his stance with the Raptors remains the same as the front office — which is to win another championship with the organization.

The Rockets departed from coach Stephen Silas after three seasons Monday afternoon. And despite a lengthy list of candidates that features Scott Brooks and Frank Vogel, Nurse is the consensus favorite to become the Rockets' 16th coach in franchise history.

Nurse began his career with the Raptors in 2013 as an assistant under then-head coach Dwane Casey. He took the helm as coach following the firing of Casey ahead of the 2018-19 season, where he led the Raptors to their first championship in franchise history.

"From my standpoint, the speculation of whether I will be back or not, I have no idea where that comes from," Nurse said. "I needed to try to get the team or any of the players focused back on the job at hand, I was trying to put it to bed so we can focus on the season."

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