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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Dejounte Murray and Josh Primo of the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors: #2. Becky Hammon

Hiring Becky Hammon would make NBA history, which is definitely cool. It’s not the reason to hire her, though; she’s earned a head coaching job in the NBA based on her own merit.

For starters, Hammon is a championship-winning coach in professional basketball. In her first season in charge of the Las Vegas Aces, she guided the WNBA franchise to its first league title. She also earned Coach of the Year honors in the league.

She wouldn’t be new to the NBA, either. After retiring as a legendary player, she spent almost a full decade manning the bench for the San Antonio Spurs, learning under arguably the greatest coach in the sport’s history, Gregg Popovich.

While it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Popovich’s coaching tree, many of his disciples have had at least some success under the coach. Past assistants include Mike Budenholzer, Will Hardy, Jacques Vaughn, and Ime Udoka. Hammon isn’t even the only Popovich branch drawing interest around the league this offseason, even from the Raptors, as current assistant Mitch Johnson is also rumored to be in the mix.

Convincing Hammon to leave the Aces wouldn’t be easy. She’s highly paid, and her team is set up to contend for championships on an annual basis. She’s got one of the two “superteams” in the league, along with the revamped New York Liberty.

But Hammon is one of the most intriguing coaching prospects in years. She’s been praised by players and coaches and almost landed the job in Milwaukee that ultimately went to Budenholzer. Her passion and basketball acumen are the stuff of legend.

There would be an unprecedented spotlight on the Raptors if they hired Hammon. She might be the best person for the job, though, which is what counts.