The bold reasons why Raptors fired Nick Nurse

A new report from NBA insider Eric Koreen of The Athletic has revealed why the Toronto Raptors fired head coach Nick Nurse after the season ended.

According to Koreen, Nurse’s connection with some of his players and bosses had frayed. There was also an issue with player development.

“Nurse’s connection with some of his players and bosses had frayed enough — because of roster decisions and his style of communication — that a breakup was inevitable,” Koreen wrote. … “The lack of development from the Raptors’ unheralded younger plays was one of the biggest issues between Nurse and the front office. As it stands, the Raptors are out one first-round pick — protected through the top six in 2024 — and three second-round picks.”

The Raptors hired Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach Darko Rajakovic as their new head coach. Rajakovic has spent the majority of his time in the NBA as a player development coach.

“Rajakovic has spent the majority of his time in player development, and that appears to be at the forefront of what the Raptors are thinking,” Koreen wrote. “However the team chooses to pivot, Rajakovic is someone who will put internal growth at the forefront. With that having stalled over the past few seasons, a new set of eyes to oversee things is huge. He has the skill set to be with the Raptors amid a re-tooling, with a focus on youth.”

The Raptors went 41-41 this season. They lost the 9-10 play-in game at home to the Chicago Bulls and missed the 2023 playoffs.

Nurse, who was hired by the Philadelphia 76ers to be their new head coach, went 227-163 with the Raptors in the regular season and 25-16 in the playoffs. Toronto won the 2019 championship over the Golden State Warriors in six games in Nurse’s first year at the helm.