Coach Rajaković Extended
Toronto Raptors Extend Head Coach Darko Rajaković Through 2029 Following Playoff Berth
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Key Points
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Darko Rajaković was hired in June 2023 to become the Raptors’ 10th head coach, taking over from Nick Nurse.
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Scottie Barnes has emerged as the face of the franchise and is a multi-time All-Star under Rajaković’s stewardship.
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Rajaković’s coaching path includes leading the Tulsa 66ers in the G League and serving as an NBA assistant with the Thunder, Suns and Grizzlies before taking the Raptors job.
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The Raptors earned the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference this past season, finishing 46-36 under Rajaković.
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The Raptors reportedly added Kawhi Leonard in the offseason in a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Toronto Raptors have locked in head coach Darko Rajaković through the 2028-29 season, rewarding him for engineering the franchise's first playoff appearance in three years. KWSN reported that the team also elevated Rajaković's title to include executive vice president, a sign of how much trust the organization is placing in him.
Rajaković's third season ended at 46-36 — good enough for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors then pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round before bowing out. His overall record in Toronto now stands at 101-145.
A Rocky Start Gives Way to Real Progress
Rajaković took over from Nick Nurse in June 2023 as the Raptors' 10th head coach. His first two seasons were rough. The team combined to go 55-109 in those years. But the front office bet on his development-first approach, and that patience started to pay off this past season.
GM Bobby Webster praised Rajaković's commitment to a team-first culture and a focus on player growth. The Province noted that the organization saw the 46-36 finish not just as a win total, but as proof that the rebuild was working. Rajaković said his focus remains on pursuing an NBA Championship.
Scottie Barnes Becomes the Face of the Franchise
The clearest sign of Rajaković's development philosophy working is Scottie Barnes. Under his watch, Barnes grew into a multi-time All-Star and the undisputed face of the franchise. Wings RJ Barrett also stepped up as a key contributor alongside young depth pieces like Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead, and Ja'Kobe Walter.
WTBX noted that this kind of player development — not just winning now — is what convinced the front office to extend Rajaković. The Raptors believe building around young talent is the right path back to contention.
Historic Milestone for a European Coach in the NBA
Rajaković's playoff run carried a historic footnote. He became the first European head coach to guide an NBA team through a full season and into the playoffs. Born in Serbia, Rajaković worked his way up through NBA assistant roles with the Thunder, Suns, and Grizzlies before running the Tulsa 66ers in the G League.
That background shaped his coaching style. He brings a detail-oriented, process-driven approach that fits the Raptors' identity as a team built on culture and development rather than star-chasing.
Kawhi Leonard Trade Signals Bigger Championship Ambitions
The extension is not the only big news out of Toronto this offseason. The Raptors reportedly acquired Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers. The deal sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks to Los Angeles in return.
Adding Leonard — a two-time NBA Finals MVP who won a title with Toronto in 2019 — signals that the Raptors are not just rebuilding anymore. Paired with Barnes and a proven playoff coach now locked in through 2029, Toronto's window appears to be opening fast.
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