The Toronto Raptors fired mentor Nick Caregiver on Friday, clearing the way in which for Ime Udoka to develop into a significant candidate to interchange him, assets instructed ESPN.
Caregiver, who coached the Raptors to the franchise’s first NBA name in 2019, met with group president Masai Ujiri a number of instances in contemporary days ahead of a choice was once made on Friday to brush aside him, assets mentioned.
“The decision to make a change like this is never arrived at easily or taken lightly, especially when it comes to a person who has been an integral part of this franchise’s most historic accomplishments, and who has been a steady leader through some of our team’s most challenging times,” Ujiri mentioned in a observation. “As we reflect on Nick’s many successes, we thank him and his family, and wish them the best in future.
“This is a chance for us to reset, to refocus, to position into park the body of workers and the gamers who will assistance us succeed in our objective of profitable our nearest championship.”
Sources said Nurse had one year and more than $8 million left on his contract.
Udoka has a long relationship with Ujiri and is expected to be a prominent part of the Raptors’ coaching search, sources said. Udoka was suspended by the Boston Celtics before the start of the 2022-23 season for multiple violations of team rules. He was replaced by Joe Mazzulla, who was given the permanent coaching position in February.
The Raptors have several important personnel decisions to make in the offseason, including with free agents Fred VanVleet, Jakob Poeltl and Gary Trent and whether or not to increase Pascal Siakam.
Nurse leaves Toronto with the 2019 championship, a 2020 NBA Coach of the Year award and a 227-163 (.582) record in five seasons as coach. Toronto finished 41-41 this season before losing to the Chicago Bulls in the 9-10 game of the East play-in tournament.
He will become a prominent part of the Houston Rockets‘ training seek, which is excited about former Los Angeles Lakers mentor Frank Vogel and Udoka, assets instructed ESPN. Former Charlotte Hornets mentor James Borrego additionally made as sturdy influence in his interview, assets mentioned.
