The Raptors were reportedly granted permission to speak with Becky Hammon for their head coaching vacancy. Hammon, a longtime former Spurs assistant who led the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces to a championship and won Coach of the Year in her first season as a head coach in 2022, has interviewed for multiple NBA head coaching jobs in the past.
Assuming she’s interested in the position, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star believes the Raptors should hire her to be their new head coach. Smith points to Hammon’s wealth of experience, strong player development background, championship pedigree at multiple levels of play, and Hall of Fame résumé as reasons why she’s the best candidate for the job.
Here’s more on the Raptors:
- Shooting has been a primary weakness of the roster the past couple seasons. How can they acquire more of it? Smith explores that topic in another story for The Toronto Star, writing that it will be difficult for the Raptors to acquire shooters in free agency due to their financial constraints. Internal development is always a hope, but trading a member of the core is probably more realistic. Another “long shot” option could be if a star player asks out, Smith adds. “At the end of the season, there’s always a player that wants to move or wants to change,” president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said. “That’s the new free agency basically. Yes, everybody wake up to that. Everybody says, ‘Will free agents come?’ Free agency doesn’t happen anymore really. The new free agency is players change teams.”
- In a mailbag article for The Athletic, Eric Koreen states his belief that Toronto will retain guard Fred VanVleet, who is expected to decline his $22.8MM player option for 2023/24 and become a free agent. Koreen notes that advanced stats remained high on VanVleet’s impact this season despite inconsistent shooting, adding that the Raptors don’t have any viable alternatives on the roster to replace him.
- As for the player most likely to be on the move this summer, that could be Gary Trent Jr., according to Koreen. Like VanVleet, Trent could be a free agent if he declines his $18.8MM player option. Bringing back all three of VanVleet, Trent and Jakob Poeltl would almost certainly push the team into the luxury tax, and that may be untenable with the current roster. Ujiri recently praised Poeltl, calling him a “championship piece.”
Unfortunately I don’t see Hammon ever getting a job, just trotted out for interviews for PR. One day. Hopefully she blazes the trail enough for someone else.
I think she may get this one or at least soon enough. I think winning so fast with the Ace’s has boosted her value. The only thing left she can do that would improve her resume is work as an assistant to Kerr. I just hope she gets a long leash than 1 year. Especially with a rebuilding team which the Raptors might be.
There’s a wnba championship coach every year… should they have increased value towards an nba head coaching job – or is that exclusive for Hammon?
I could actually see Hammon making some sense for the Raptors if they go the rebuilding route, though I’m not necessarily buying that they will. That said, I’m also not convinced she will leave her current dual role with the Aces. Yeah, they won the championship in her first year so she could bolt, but I could see her sticking there for awhile longer before seeking a return to the NBA. Either way, it’s just a matter of time before she lands the big gig.
Even with Jesus Christ as their HC elite FA would never sign over there , so they might aswell try hammon.
My jaw drops (ussaaa)
Trade Buddy Hield for Trent Jr, at least Hield comes off the bench with automatic scoring.
Raptors do not have to be in luxury Tax by signing all three of their 3 FA.
Sign FVV and Poetl and sign and trade Trent jr, Also sign and Trade OG for a young star, Keegan Murray plus Mitchell, or
OG for Josh Green and Sengun of the Rockets. If the latter comes to fruition than trade Trent jr for Anthony (Backup PG) + Gary Harris of the Magic.
Please note Raptors can dump Thad Young Salary for $1 Million guarantee. OPJ can be traded with Boucher. This would then allow Precious to sink or swim. There is monies to be traded