The Raptors officially announced the news on Thursday, just after the team brought back Kawhi Leonard in a trade , the core player who led the team to its only NBA championship in 2019 .

 

Last season, Rajakovic led the Raptors to a 46- win season and their first playoff appearance since 2022, but they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a decisive Game 7 in the first round. The team hadn't won more than 30 games in the previous two seasons , but has now shown a clear rebound. During his three years coaching the Raptors, he has a record of 101 wins and 105 losses.

 

Rajakovic took over as head coach of the team from Nick Nurse more than three years ago , becoming the second Serbian head coach in NBA history after former Suns coach Igor Kokosov . He has coached in Europe and served as an assistant coach for the G League, Thunder, Suns, and Grizzlies, possessing a wealth of coaching experience.

 

Image source: Internet