Woj Report: Darko Rajakovic leaving Memphis bench for Toronto head job

In a bit of an upset, considering all the big-names on the job market during the time the Toronto Raptors head coaching position was open, a Memphis Grizzlies assistant has been named the next leader of the Raptors.

Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Rajakovic, a “top assistant for Taylor Jenkins and the Grizzlies”, emerged from a fairly crowded applicant pool in a process that included conversations with names like Steve Nash and J.J. Redick. The Raptors, led by President Masai Ujiri and GM Bobby Webster, clearly valued Darko’s role is the growth and development of the Memphis Grizzlies young core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and others over the last several years – something players and Jenkins both have given Rajakovic credit for.

This well-deserved opportunity for Rajakovic means that there is now an opening on the Grizzlies bench, be it by internal promotion or by hiring someone outside of the organization to fill Darko’s important role. Jenkins’ mentor Mike Budenholzer is available…but probably wouldn’t want to work under Jenkins in Memphis. In all likelihood, another Grizzlies assistant will ascend and a hire will be made from the outside to fill that person’s spot.

This bit from Woj’s piece was interesting –

“The Raptors wanted a coach whom they believed could coach a contending team should the franchise stay on its current path with veterans, or a rebuilding roster should they eventually transform the roster to younger players and draft assets, sources said.”

So have the Raptors not chosen a path yet? With this hire, it would appear they value what Darko and Memphis was able to do overachieving with youth. Maybe the decision has been made – an attempt to emulate the Grizzlies model of the last few years, being competitive and then very good while “rebuilding”. And perhaps Darko may want some Memphis help – Tyus Jones if Fred Van Vleet departs in free agency, for example – to kickstart that process.

It took some lottery luck for Memphis, but there’s no denying Rajakovic played a large role in how the Grizzlies got to their current place among the NBA elite. Congratulations, Coach Darko, and good luck.