Will Nick Nurse return as head coach of the Toronto Raptors next season? That's one of the pressing questions facing the organization this offseason.
The latest: The chatter has been there, picked up recently based on comments Nurse made about his future and will only intensify from here following Toronto's embarrassing season-ending loss to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in game.
Here are the latest Nick Nurse odds on whether he will remain in Toronto and start next season as the Raptors' head coach.
Nick Nurse odds
Click link to add selection to your betslip. Note: Lines have changed/market no longer available if grey.
| Options | Odds |
| Yes | +155 |
| No | -200 |
NBA odds as of 2:31 p.m. ET on 04/13/2023.
Check out the latest odds on Nurse starting next season in Toronto.
Latest Nurse rumours
Nurse raised eyebrows late last month when he said he would need a few weeks at the end of the season to contemplate his future in Toronto. That set off speculation that he was hinting at a divorce from the team he led to a 2019 NBA championship.
That team is long gone and though the Raptors followed up their title with a respectable run, the last three years have been a disappointment — particularly this season.
It has predictably led to rumours and the biggest one floating around right now has Nurse linked to the Houston Rockets, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
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ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski also reported on April 12 that the Rockets are keeping a close eye on Nurse. He did say, however, that there's a pathway forward for Nurse to remain in Toronto. Wojnarowski says Nurse is under contract next season for around $8 million.
Nurse's Raps tenure
Nurse can hardly take all the blame for this season's failures, but coaches are often the ones held responsible when things turn sideways.
No one expected another title this season but there were greater expectations than a play-in berth. And the win-or-go-home game was not one the Raptors — up 19 at one point — should have lost at home.
The front office and players should assume part of the blame, too. If Nurse doesn't return that may not entirely be an organizational decision. It's possible he feels his time in Toronto is complete.
Nurse has been involved in the greatest stretch in franchise history. He served as an assistant for five consecutive playoff appearances before replacing Dwane Casey as head coach for Toronto's title-winning season.
The 55-year-old Iowa native has a 227-163 regular-season record as the Raptors' head coach, good for a .582 winning percentage. That's 21st all-time among NBA coaches (minimum 300 games). The success Nurse has enjoyed in Toronto is undeniable but this is a Raptors team that needs a new direction.
Whether Nurse will be part of the new path forward remains to be seen but don't expect the speculation to settle down any time soon.
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