Darko Rajaković Season Review: He managed well with what he had

In his first year as head coach, Darko Rajaković kept the rocky ship afloat — but the real test begins next season.

It’s officially been (about) one year of the Darko Rajaković experience.

After parting ways with Nick Nurse after the 2022-23 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors went on an extensive hunt for their next head coach. While many of the usual names came up in the search, it was Darko Rajaković — at that time an assistant in Memphis — who rose above.

Masai Ujiri, Raptors President, was incredibly excited about Rajaković as a coach, because of his passion for the game and his apparent basketball intelligence. Rajaković was welcomed to Toronto to fanfare, and finally it seemed like the horrid vibes around the team may be turning around…

Little did they know what was ahead for the team.

The new head coach spent his summer hiring his staff, pulling talent from other NBA teams, the G-League, and even the WNBA. The team picked up Gradey Dick in the draft, Rajaković squeezed in some time at home with his wife and son, and planned everything from his coaches’ retreat to his training camp plans.

The first blow for the team was losing Fred VanVleet in free agency. Obviously not Rajaković’s fault as he just got there, but still not good for him.

They picked up Dennis Schröder, who had a relationship with Darko. They signed Garrett Temple and a few others, and headed into the training camp and the season with optimism and positivity. Yet, the storm clouds seemed to be rolling in, and even looking into the team you could sense the impending rain coming in to ruin everyone’s happy demeanor.

The team struggled. They were learning a new offensive struggle, the lineups were weird, people were in and out of the rotation. Gradey Dick struggled to adjust, there was no clear point guard in the absence of VanVleet and Schröder’s enthusiasm to be ‘the guy’ was not matching up with this on court performance.

On top of that, two of the team’s best players were on contract years, and not much about the situation was convincing them to stay.

As trade season rolled in, the possibility of trades became a reality and rumours floated — but the Raptors shocked everyone with an early trade with the New York Knicks. O.G. Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn were sent to the Knicks in exchange for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and a second round draft pick.

While the timing was surprising, the idea of trading Anunoby was not. While it was emotional, the realization that this was a good move for the future of the team became apparent with Quickley and Barrett took to the court.

In short, they’ve been pretty sensational.

Weeks later, the other shoe dropped when Pascal Siakam and others were traded away to the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Brooklyn Nets. With two open roster spots, the Raptors started cycling through 10-day contracts to try out young guys.

In total, the Raptors played over 30 players this season, nearly a league record. Obviously due to so much turnover, there was never any consistency in lineups, chemistry was hard to build, and winning wasn’t happening. Yet again, how does this fall on Rajaković? He has to work with what he is given, and he was rarely given the same players on any night.

The highlight of the season came at the perfect time — Scottie Barnes was named and NBA All-Star for the first time. After blossoming on the court offensively and maturing as a leader off the court, he was rewarded.

This was also around the time the injuries started to roll in. Jakob Poeltl with a sprained ankle, RJ Barrett with a sore knee, new Raptor Bruce Brown with another sore knee. Scottie Barnes would eventually require surgery for a fractured hand, ending his season. Gary Trent Jr. played the most games of anyone on the team this season, yet struggled with back spasms. Poeltl went from an ankle sprain to a torn finger ligament, the young DJ Carton sprained an ankle, illnesses rolled in and out.

As the weeks went on, the injury list grew. Gradey Dick — after going through a stint with the G-League and a fitness program — played upwards of 30+ minutes a game.

In March, both RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley spent time away from the team dealing with personal losses in their family. Barrett tragically lost his younger brother Nathan, while Quickley was away mourning his uncle, a father figure to him. During these absences, the Raptors went on a 15-game losing streak that really put a dent in morale.

That was before the Jontay Porter situation unfolded. Pulled from the lineup in mid-March to be investigated by the NBA for inconsistencies regarding bets surrounding him, it was just another thing added to the pile. Porter would eventually be given a lifetime ban from the NBA for using other accounts to place bets on the Raptors, and for influences his own prop bets by faking illness and injury to leave games early. Yet, at the time, it was just another blow to the already depleted lineup.

The Raptors made it to the end of the season, missing the play-in tournament and the playoffs, and heading into the draft lottery, with a 25-57 record on the season.

Yet, when you go back and read through all of those events again, everything that contributed to this season of Raptors history that will be undoubtedly infamous forever… how much can you blame on the coaching?

Was it Darko’s fault they traded so many players? No.

Was it Darko’s fault they never had a consistent lineup? No.

Was it Darko’s fault everyone was injured? No.

Was it Darko’s fault Jontay Porter took the concept of betting on yourself way to seriously and thought he could outsmart both the Vegas sports books and the NBA? NOPE.

Then, you have to take a look at the player’s exit interviews for your next critique of Rajaković. They RAVED about the guy. Called his offence a “work of art,” said his attention to detail was next to none. Called him a support system, a guy you could talk to about anything. He called players after surgeries, offered them support, encouraged them to speak up and be leaders.

When it comes to placing judgement on Darko Rajaković as an NBA head coach, I really don’t think this season can count. There was SO much going on that was outside of his control, and he still came out of it at the end with the unwavering support of his players and front office.

There is probably some things he can do to improve, but also having a consistent roster will help. Having less injuries will help. Not having a player on your bench betting on the team to lose will definitely HELP.

In my opinion, the real test for Darko Rajaković as the leader of the Toronto Raptors starts next season. How can he take this foundation of a team, with talented young players, and improve them from where they were this season. How can he continue to form Scottie Barnes into a leader. How can he continue to motivate these young players to give it their all despite not having a winning record.

This season, Darko did an excellent job with what he was given. Next season, the real evaluation of his head coaching prowess will begin.

Also, Darko gets an A+ for his iconic rant after the LA Lakers rant. An all time moment, for sure.