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Josh Lewenberg: Raptors 2026-27 coaching staff HC: Darko Rajakovic Lead assistants: Pat Delany, Jama Mahlalela, Stephen Silas Second row assts: Ivo Simovic, Vin Bhavnani, Eric Khouri, Jim Sann, Mery Andrade, Jeremy Castleberry (!), Matt Vest
There may be no bigger fan of Scottie Barnes than Darko Rajakovic. The Toronto Raptors head coach recently sat down for an interview in his native Serbia, during which he likened the franchise star to one of the all-time greats. "I think there is no coach and there is no success for a coach without players," the bench boss — about to enter his fourth season holding the clipboard in Toronto — began explaining in Serbian. "You look at all our greatest coaches, who are fantastic ... they all became great coaches by taking care of the players, and I think that's on every level ... there's no Phil Jackson without Michael Jordan. My Michael Jordan is Scottie Barnes."
Viewing the modern boom with excitement and sharing a precise vision, Darko Rajakovic addressed how overseas frameworks must evolve to maximize cultural and commercial footprint. “I think that in Europe, the best thing about the EuroLeague is the fans. EuroLeague has fantastic fans, fantastic support, fantastic love, and commitment of the fans to their teams. However, organizationally, the EuroLeague must be better, and I think the best thing that can happen for European basketball would be to reach some kind of agreement with the NBA, and when NBA Europe comes here, for them to work together, NBA Europe and the EuroLeague,” he mentioned.
Rajakovic holds an equally profound reverence for the generational talent emerging from his home country. “I think Nikola Jokic is the best Serbian player of all time. I think he is one of the best players in the history of sports,” he stated regarding the sport’s ultimate elite tier.
Michael Grange: Raptors notes from Las Vegas: look for longtime NBA assistant Stephen Silas to join Darko Rajakovic’s staff shortly. Silas has worked for Don Nelson, Rick Carlisle & his father, Paul Silas in 25yr career. Former head coach w Rockets, recently coached Team USA in WC Qualifying.
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In the wake of Dallas moving on from Jason Kidd, there have been rumblings of both Duke's Jon Scheyer and Michigan's Dusty May being linked to the vacancy. But ever since Masai Ujiri was hired to run basketball operations last month, the belief around the league is that the most likely outcome for Dallas is elevating one of the NBA's rising assistants. That's what Ujiri did the other two times he hired a coach, both with the Toronto Raptors: In 2018, he replaced Dwane Casey with Nick Nurse. In 2023, he replaced Nurse with Darko Rajakovic.
The next obvious move is an extension for Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, who is also entering the final year of his existing contract. The timing on that move has yet to be determined, but multiple sources have confirmed it’s in the works.
Doug Smith: Other extensions: Dan Tolzman, vice-president, player personnel and assistant general manager; Keith Boyarsky, vice-president, basketball strategy and research; and Tyla Flexman, vice-president, operations. Next up: New deal for coach Darko Rajakovic expected any time soon
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Josh Lewenberg: A month (or so) of rest and rehab would allow BI to start ramping up in early June, which still gives him a full offseason of work. That is key. As Darko noted earlier this week, last summer was about getting/staying healthy, but needs to prioritize skill development this summer.
It’s expected that both general manager Bobby Webster and head coach Darko Rajakovic will be offered contract extensions in the coming weeks, Sportsnet has learned. Each of them have another year left on their current deal. As one well-placed source put it: “You don’t have your head coach and general manager head into the final year of their contracts as lame ducks, not after a playoff year.” As another said: “It will happen when it happens,” referring specifically to Webster, “but it will happen.”
Josh Lewenberg: Darko on CMB: “Getting to understand who he is as a person & what he’s about made me fall in love with this guy. He’s an amazing human being… We’re so lucky to have him.” Plan for summer is to keep getting stronger/faster to sustain full season, develop face-up game + shooting
Michael Grange: Darko Rajakovic has a long list of things that Collin Murray-Boyles will be tasked with over the summer, but shooting is down the list: “He's going to obviously be working on his shooting, but I'm not putting prime on that in his development at this point.”