An agreement has been reached for Darko Rajakovic to take over as head coach of the Toronto Raptors.

 

 

 

 

 

According to a source involved with the negotiations, Darko Rajakovic and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on Rajakovic taking over as head coach. This information was provided to USA TODAY Sports. Since they weren’t allowed to talk in public until the Raptors made an official statement, the individual asked to remain anonymous.

The 44-year-old Rajakovic takes Nick Nurse’s position, who was fired following the season and is currently the Philadelphia 76ers’ coach. Rajakovic takes over a club that qualified for the play-in game, finishing 41–41, but was not able to make it to the postseason.

The Raptors may sign free agents Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes (2021–22 Rookie of the Year), Fred VanVleet, and Gary Trent. To see which way it goes, all eyes will be on Masai Ujiri, the president, and Bobby Webster, the general manager, in Toronto’s front office.

Rajakovic, who was born in Serbia, has worked as an NBA assistant or G League coach since 2012 and has been associated with NBA teams since 2004, when he started as an NBA Summer League employee.

After coaching the Tulsa 66ers in the G League from 2012 to 2014, he went on to work as an assistant with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, and Serbian national team for the last three seasons. He supported the Serbian men’s national team as an assistant as well.