Toronto Raptors: The 3 best candidates to replace Nick Nurse as coach

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 18: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors signals against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 18, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

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Adrian Griffin of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors: #3. Adrian Griffin

Nurse was an internal hire for the Raptors, one that paid off with the team’s first title. Adrian Griffin presents another opportunity to keep the franchise’s coaching pipeline in-house. Griffin has been toiling away as an assistant coach in the NBA for 15 years. The past few seasons have been spent in Toronto as Nurse’s right-hand man on the bench.

Griffin would represent continuity for the franchise, which has been experiencing some of its best years recently, despite some disappointments in the past couple of seasons. Under Griffin, it would be hard to imagine the team having a floor much lower than where they’re at now, which would be a good place for Toronto to be.

During an offseason that could bring upheaval to the franchise, with particular focus on the potential movement of Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, having some consistency would go a long way for the players who remain. Then again, the split from Nurse was likely made with the understanding that the status quo isn’t good enough. Promoting Griffin to the top job may not assuage that concern.

Griffin may also not be available if the Raptors don’t speed up their process. The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly interested in Griffin for their own head coaching gig, one more likely to draw in the best candidates due to the presence of Giannis Antetokoumpo; that’s the franchise that finished with the NBA’s best record this past year.

However, the fact that Milwaukee is interested demonstrates that one of the sport’s best franchises thinks Griffin is ready to be a head coach. That has to weigh on the front office’s mind when making this decision.