Report: Kings’ Jordi Fernández in the mix for Toronto Raptors next head coach
Apr 28, 2023, 7:33 AM
(Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)
Sacramento Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernández has been linked to the head-coaching search in Toronto, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Following the completion of the 2022-23 season, the Raptors let go of Nick Nurse after the team went 41-41 and lost to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament. Nurse had been with the organization since 2013, first as an assistant coach, then promoted to head coach in 2018. He led the Raptors to their only NBA Championship in his first year, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.
According to Wojnarowski’s report, the Raptors have been given permission to speak to Fernández, along with Golden State Warriors’ Kenny Atkinson, current Raptors’ assistant coach Adian Griffin, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, and several others. Hammon spent eight years as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs before leading the Aces to a WNBA Championship in 2022.
ESPN story on the Raptors embarking on a wide-ranging coaching search and securing permission to speak with several preliminary candidates: https://t.co/5TLPXofRsO
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2023
Fernández, in his first year with the Kings, was previously linked to the Atlanta Hawks opening before the team hired Quin Snyder. At that time, Kings head coach Mike Brown said it’s only a matter of time until Fernandez is a head coach in the NBA.
“Jordi is a fantastic human being, he’s a fantastic coach. He will be a head coach in this league someday. He’s ready for it right now,” Brown said earlier this year.
Three times this past season, Jordi Fernández filled in as acting head coach for the Kings, one when Brown was ejected from a game and two additional times when Brown was placed in health and safety protocols. During that time, he became the first Spanish head coach to win an NBA game.
Prior to joining Sacramento, Fernández was an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets. And while it may be Fernández’s first year with the Kings, it’s not his first time alongside Mike Brown. The two have shared a sideline since 2020 for the Nigeria men’s basketball team.
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