Raptors: JJ Redick Takes Big Step in Bid to Become Toronto Coach

DENVER, CO - JJ Redick announces the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on October 26, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo : Jamie Schwaberow / Stringer)

The Toronto Raptors are on the hunt for their next head coach and have reportedly interviewed former NBA player and current ESPN analyst JJ Redick for the position.

According to ESPN, Redick, who spent 15 years in the NBA playing for several teams - the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Dallas Mavericks, recently met with the Raptors' leadership in Toronto.

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Raptors Coaching Search

Aside from Redick, the Raptors are said to be considering a wide range of candidates, including former and current NBA assistants, as they look for a replacement for Nick Nurse, who was fired on April 21 after five seasons as head coach.

Nurse had led the Raptors to their first NBA title in 2019, but the team finished the most recent season with a 41-41 record and lost to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament.

Redick retired from the NBA in 2021 and joined ESPN as an analyst, where he has received praise for his work on shows like "First Take" and as a commentator for the network's NBA games. He also hosts a popular podcast that has been running since 2016.

Other notable candidates in the Raptors' search include Becky Hammon, the head coach of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, and Jerry Stackhouse, the head coach of Vanderbilt University's men's basketball team.

The Raptors have reportedly asked permission to speak with several other potential candidates.

The Raptors are in the midst of an extensive search for their next head coach as they look to improve on a disappointing season and get back to contending for an NBA championship.

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