Since the Raptors’ season ended in a first-round sweep by the Wizards, the team has been noncommittal about the future of head coach Dwane Casey. Masai Ujiri didn’t tip his hand at the team’s exit interviews last month, but with over a third of their roster coming up on free agency this summer, it seemed likely a change was coming down the pike.
According to longtime NBA reporter Mitch Lawrence, Casey is no longer in danger of losing his job and will return to the Raptors next season.#Raptors’ Dwane Casey no longer on hot seat. Per league sources, he’s returning to Toronto for next season, probably with new assistants.
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) May 12, 2015
The Toronto Sun‘s Steve Simmons confirms that, although Casey’s job is safe, there could be changes coming to his coaching staff:
Clarification on Raps coaching situation. Dwane Casey will return. Management has suggested staff changes. No decisions have been finalized
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) May 12, 2015
Casey staying in the fold is a huge vote of confidence from Ujiri, who seemed on the verge of blowing up the roster during last season, before they made a run to the playoffs following the trade of Rudy Gay to the Kings. Casey predated him in the Raptors’ organization, and the thought was that he wanted to bring in his own guy as he reshaped the roster. Whatever he does going forward, it seems like he’s happy enough with Casey’s performance to keep him around, at least for now.