NBA: Raptors interview JJ Redick, Becky Hammon still the betting favourite for head coach job

The Toronto Raptors’ head coaching search took an unexpected turn this week when it was announced that JJ Redick was interviewed for the position. Bet99 is currently giving Redick the seventh best odds to win the job. It looks like the Raptors will leave no stone unturned before they announce their next coach. Take a look at some of the more interesting candidates. 

Becky Hammon

Becky Hammon is the betting favourite to be the next head coach of the Raptors. She has +340 odds to win the job on Bet99. Hammon has been mentioned as a potential future head coach in the NBA for years. She has experience as an NBA coach, Hammon coached a game for the San Antonio Spurs in 2020 when Gregg Popovich was ejected, becoming the first woman to coach in an NBA game. According to reports, the Raptors received permission to interview Hammon. 

STATEMENT SERIES WIN. ⭐

The @Lakers are advancing to the Western Conference Finals. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/TzcKOC9WfL

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 13, 2023

Hammon was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this year alongside Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, and Popovich. Hammon won a championship as head coach of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces in 2022 and was the WNBA’s Coach of the Year. She is a former player with over 15 years of WNBA experience. Hammon is also a former assistant for the San Antonio Spurs and coached the Spurs Summer League team to a title. 

JJ Redick

Former NBA guard and current commentator JJ Redick has the seventh best odds to become the next head coach of the Toronto Raptors. He has +1600 odds.  After retiring from the league in 2021, Redick has made a name for himself as podcaster, an analyst for ESPN, and a commentator during games. Reddick’s knowledge of the NBA and ability to explain the game of basketball has helped him succeed as a media member. Redick interviewed for the job this week, according to ESPN.

The 2022-23 Kia All-NBA Third Team:

▪️ De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
▪️ LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
▪️ Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
▪️ Julius Randle, New York Knicks
▪️ Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings pic.twitter.com/HLhSlCzszN

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 10, 2023

As a player, Redick was consistently one of the better three-point shooters in the league. He shot 47.5 per cent from three during the 2015-16 season. Redick is a unique candidate for the job because he recently played in the league, so he knows a lot of people in the league and understands modern players. The Raptors could view him as a good fit because most of their core players are under the age of 30. 

Mike Budenholzer

The Milwaukee Bucks dismissed former head coach Mike Budenholzer on May 4, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarwoski. The Bucks decided to part ways with the former championship coach after the Bucks were upset in the first round of the playoffs, losing 4-1 to the Miami Heat. The move shocked many in the NBA community because Budenholzer won a championship with the Bucks in 2021, two years ago.

Budenholzer in Toronto makes sense for a couple of reasons. First, the Raptors are trying to compete right now. Budenholzer has proven he can win at the highest level and has won recently. Next, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a lot of success with Budenholzer, winning two NBA MVP awards and a championship. Scottie Barnes’ game has similarities to Antetokounmpo’s, so Budenholzer might be the right choice if one of the franchise’s main priorities is developing Barnes. Budenholzer has +2500 odds. Head to Bet99 to bet on Toronto Raptors’ next head coach.