The Toronto Raptors are in the process of finalizing a contract with Memphis assistant Darko Rajakovic to become the team’s next coach, a person with knowledge of the matter said Saturday.
On Sunday, fellow Serbian and Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic endorsed the decision, saying, “I love it.”
Toronto and Rajakovic entered into an agreement in principle for him to become the franchise’s 10th head coach on Saturday, according to the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the final details are pending.
ESPN first reported Rajakovic’s hiring.
The 44-year-old Rajakovic replaces Nick Nurse, who led Toronto to the 2019 NBA title and went 227-163 in his five seasons with the Raptors. The Raptors fired Nurse in April, shortly after a season in which Toronto went 41-41 and lost in the play-in tournament.
Rajakovic has been involved in coaching since his late teens. He’s had summer league and consulting experience with the San Antonio Spurs, began coaching in the G League (then called the NBA Development League) in 2012, and spent the last nine seasons as an assistant with Oklahoma City, Phoenix and Memphis.
@Toronto Raptors
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Jokic to Toronto