Ranking the best available NBA head coaching candidates

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates after the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coach Nick Nurse against the Charlotte Hornets during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on February 15, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

8. Nick Nurse

You may not like the way Toronto performs in the playoffs, but there’s no question they’ve been an excellent regular season team during assistant coach Nick Nurse’s tenure. His ability to help Dwane Casey find the right balance for the Raptors places him at No. 8 on this list.

Nurse may not be a household name for NBA fans, but he’s well-regarded inside the league. He was the most popular response on ESPN’s “informal survey” as to what assistant should get a head coaching gig this summer. In a strange way, the Raptors’ current playoff run may work against him trying to get a job this summer.

If a team is patient and goes with Nurse, they’re going to get an immediate offensive upgrade. He’s largely credited with implementing the system that’s worked so well for Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Those are two exceptional offensive talents, but Nurse has worked hard to iron out a system that allows them to maximize their production.

Raptors fans should be very concerned if Nurse does leave their bench this offseason. If he does find a new job, it’s going to put a lot of pressure on Dwane Casey to show that he can be the brains behind the team’s success.

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