The Raptors are considering Sarunas Jasikevicius as a potential replacement for recently fired head coach Nick Nurse, according to reports. This is not the first time Toronto has shown interest in the Lithuanian coach, as he previously interviewed for the head coaching position in 2018, which ultimately went to Nurse.
Marc Stein, in a Substack post, revealed that the Raptors have registered their interest in the current Barcelona coach. Jasikevicius, widely regarded as one of the best young coaches in Europe, has garnered attention for his impressive coaching abilities.
Jasikevicius, known as “Saras,” had a remarkable playing career, winning four EuroLeague titles, a EuroBasket championship, and an Olympic bronze medal. He also spent two years in the NBA from 2005 to 2007, showcasing his skills on the grandest basketball stage.
Since 2020, Jasikevicius has been at the helm of Barcelona. Under his guidance, Barcelona claimed the Spanish league title in 2021 and secured two Spanish Cup titles in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, Jasikevicius led Barcelona to three consecutive EuroLeague Final Fours, finishing as the runners-up in 2021, third in 2022, and fourth in 2023.
However, with Barcelona falling short of winning the EuroLeague title for the third consecutive year, Jasikevicius’ future at the club remains uncertain. The Raptors’ interest presents a potential opportunity for Jasikevicius to make his mark in the NBA coaching scene.
