The Raptors have spoken with former Nets head coach Steve Nash about their vacant head coaching position, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Monday.
Nash coached in Brooklyn for over two years, leading the Nets to a 94–67 record and two playoff appearances. In his first year, Brooklyn was a No. 2 seed and made it to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, losing to the eventual champion Bucks.
Brooklyn was a No. 7 seed last year, and despite winning the play-in game, the team was swept by the Celtics in the first round. The Nets then parted ways with Nash just seven games into their third season together, when the team started 2–5.
Toronto is looking for a head coach to replace Nick Nurse, whom the team fired after a five-year run that included an NBA championship in 2019. The Raptors went 41–41 this season, losing at home to the Bulls in the play-in tournament to end their season.
Nash is arguably the best Canadian player in NBA history and is the only Canadian to be named league MVP, a feat he accomplished twice. If hired, he would be the second Canadian ever to coach the Raptors, joining Jay Triano.
