Report: Raptors eyeing Hammon, top assistants in coaching search

The Toronto Raptors received permission to talk to WNBA Coach of the Year Becky Hammon and many of the NBA's top assistants as the club begins its search for a new head coach, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Thursday.

Some of the assistants whom teams have granted Toronto permission to interview include Kenny Atkinson of the Golden State Warriors, Charles Lee of the Milwaukee Bucks, Kevin Young of the Phoenix Suns, Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs, Jordi Fernandez of the Sacramento Kings, Darko Rajakovic of the Memphis Grizzlies, and Chris Quinn of the Miami Heat, Wojnarowski adds.

The Raptors are also reportedly planning to speak with ex-NBA head coaches, NCAA coaches, and current assistant Adrian Griffin in their search.

Toronto is looking for a new bench boss after dismissing Nick Nurse following five seasons at the helm and an NBA championship in 2019.

Hammon will be the first female head coach in NBA history if the Raptors hire her. She became the first full-time assistant coach in any of North America's major men's professional leagues when she joined the Spurs in 2014.

The 46-year-old spent eight seasons in San Antonio as an assistant before taking over the head coaching job with the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces. Hammon led the Aces to a championship in her first season last year. She was also a six-time WNBA All-Star over her 16-year playing career.