Raptors to name Casey coach

Photograph by: Rocky Widner, NBAE via Getty Images

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors appear set to add a championship-calibre coach.

According to multiple media reports on Monday, the Raptors will hire Dwane Casey to be their next bench boss, replacing Canadian Jay Triano. Casey most recently served as an assistant coach with the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.

Casey has been a head coach in the NBA once before, spending a season and a half with the Minnesota Timberwolves between 2005 and ’07, compiling a 53-69 record during that spell. He’s also worked as an assistant with the Seattle SuperSonics (1994-2005) and Mavericks (2008-11).

Triano was at the helm of the Raptors for just under three seasons, but his contract was not renewed for 2011-12. Toronto won just 22 games last season, third worst in franchise history. Triano posted an 87-142 record during his tenure and never coached the team to a playoff berth.

Casey would become the eighth coach in Raptors history.

According to ESPN the deal is expected to be completed by Thursday.

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