JJ Redick, a fifteen-year NBA veteran and current ESPN analyst, has interviewed for the head coaching position with the Toronto Raptors. Redick retired from playing in 2021 and has been considered a target for several teams interested in him as an assistant coach, including the Boston Celtics. Redick has met with franchise leadership in Toronto, making him one of more than a dozen candidates who have interviewed for the job. Other candidates reportedly include Golden State’s Kenny Atkinson, Milwaukee’s Charles Lee, and Memphis’ Darko Rajakovic, among others.
Toronto parted ways with head coach Nick Nurse on April 21 after finishing the season with a 41-41 record and losing to the Chicago Bulls in the 9 vs. 10 game of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. The Raptors have been conducting a wide-ranging search process and reportedly gained permission to interview several candidates. Current Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin is also a candidate for the job. Redick averaged 12.8 points per game in his NBA career, playing for six different teams, including the Orlando Magic, the LA Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Redick, who was the NCAA’s 2006 national player of the year for Duke, is one of the most high-profile candidates for the Toronto job. His experience as a player and his current role as a broadcaster may make him an attractive candidate for the team. However, the Raptors have several other candidates to consider, including Atkinson, who previously coached the Brooklyn Nets, and Hammon, who is currently a coach with the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA. The team is expected to continue the interview process before making a decision on their next head coach.
