Report: JJ Redick interviews for Toronto Raptors head coaching job

Report: JJ Redick interviews for Toronto Raptors head coaching job

After parting ways with head coach Nick Nurse in search of a new voice, the Toronto Raptors were reportedly going to conduct a search for a “wide range” of candidates. Turns out, current ESPN NBA Analyst and former NBA veteran JJ Redick was one of those who received a first interview, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday.

Redick does not any prior coaching experience at the high school, collegiate or NBA level. Though he played four years at Duke under Mike Krzyzewski and played under Stan Van Gundy, Doc Rivers and Rick Carlisle, respected coaches with plenty of NBA experience. So he knows what it takes to become a good coach at multiple levels.

His insightful analysis of the Xs and Os of basketball in addition to the NBA landscape has landed him as one of the most highly-respected talking minds in basketball. In all likelihood, the Raptors are doing their due diligence; stepping into an NBA head coaching gig without prior coaching experience is never an easy transition — but not impossible (ask Steve Kerr).

Woj cited that Redick has been a target for multiple teams as an assistant –including the Boston Celtics. He and plenty of others — a few being current assistants Kenny Atkinson, Charles Lee, Kevin Young, Darko Rajkovic and former WNBA star and current Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon — have all been granted permission to interview.

Redick, 38, spent 15 years in the NBA, playing for the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 12.8 points on 44.7 percent shooting with a career 41.5 3-point percentage (5.0 attempts).

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