Raptors sign head coach Nick Nurse for multi-contract extension
The Toronto Raptors announced on Tuesday that they had signed with head coach Nick Nurse at the multi-contract extension. Per team policy, the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Last season, Nurse guided the Rappers to a 53–19 record during the regular season (second best in the NBA) and set a franchise-record with a .736 winning percentage. Toronto also reached the Eastern Conference semifinals for the fifth straight year.
The Toronto Raptors have signed head coach Nick Nurse to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.
Nurse, who was named Coach of the Year for the 2019-20 season, led the Raptors to the NBA title in 2019 and a franchise-7 .736 winning percentage this season. The Raptors finished the season with a 53–19 record, ranked second in the NBA, and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the fifth consecutive season.
"Our faith in Nick is still growing, and part of it is what we've experienced together. The last two seasons have been unlike any other in our team's history - first, winning our championship, and then one Navigating the global epidemic and being committed for a long period against racism and for social justice, ”Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in a statement."Nick has proven that he can be a coach on the court and lead life, and we look forward to accomplishing great things in the future."
The nurse replaced Dwayne Casey in June 2018 after working as an assistant coach with the club for five years. In his two seasons leading the Rappers, Nurse holds a 111–43 record in the regular season and a 23–12 record in the playoffs. His 23 playoff victories are the most by any Raptors head coach. Nurse was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month three times and coached Team Giannis to the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.
“I and my family will always appreciate the ownership of Larry Tenbaum and MLSE for this opportunity. "I am grateful to Masai, Bobby (Webster) and their faith and their hard work," the nurse said in a statement. “Toronto has been my home for the past seven years, and I look forward to many more. I have seen this franchise grow up and reach the summit, and I am waiting for the challenge to help me win another championship. "
While the terms of the extension were not disclosed by the club, the nurses had one year left on their contract with the Raptors. Signing an extension to the coach is just the first part of the business and the team management will have to deal with a busy off-season. This includes deciding on free agents Fred VanVleet, Mark Gassol and Serge Ibaka, potentially negotiating a new long-term contract with OG Anunoby and preparing for a season that has yet to begin.
