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Toronto Raptors expected to hire Adrian Griffin as lead assistant

By David Morassutti

TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: The Toronto Raptors line up for the anthems, prior to the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: The Toronto Raptors line up for the anthems, prior to the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors made reportedly made progress in filling out their coaching staff for the 2018-19 season hiring assistant Adrian Griffin.

A report from Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania suggested that the Toronto Raptors will be hiring Adrian Griffin as their lead assistant under Nick Nurse’s coach staff.

The former NBA player has spent the past couple of seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder as an assistant coach along.

Griffin played nine seasons before joining the Milwaukee Bucks as a coach making stops in Chicago and Orlando along with way. As William Lou of the Score reported the 43-year-old was instrumental in the development of Jimmy Butler who discovered his All-Star potential.

Griffin will be taking Nurse’s place as the lead assistant when the Raptors let Dwane Casey go after another sweep at the hands of LeBron James. Rex Kalamian left to join the Los Angeles Clippers staff and Jama Mahalela will be transitioning over to the Raptors 905.

Depending on how the rest of the coaching staff rounds out, bringing in Griffin will certainly help the younger players in their development.

Raptors prepare Summer League Roster

Blake Murphy reported in Raptors Republic that the team has started preparing their Las Vegas Summer League roster. It was already reported that OG Anunoby would be making his first appearance after missing out last season recovering from his knee injury.

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Most recently, Fuquan Edwin was added from the 905 roster which Murphy believes is well deserved as Edwin was a standout this past season in Mississauga.

Joining him will be Shevon Thompson who is looking to leave a strong impression and hopefully an invite to training camp. Alfonzo McKinnie, Malcolm Miller, Codi Miller-McIntyre, Augusto Lima, and Andrew Rowsey are expected to see some action as well.

The Raptors will look to find more young talent to compete for a roster spot or at least be a possibility for the G League roster.

In the past, Fred VanVleet, Delon Wright, Jakob Poeltl, Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell used the opportunity to showcase themselves.

Next: Where do the Raptors go from here?

The summer league takes place from July 6-17 with each team playing in three preliminary games.

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