The Toronto Raptors are putting the finishing touches on their coaching staff ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Darko Rajakovic has finalized his staff, with Stephen Silas joining as an assistant coach, Matt Vest getting promoted to the bench, and Jeremy Castleberry returning to Toronto after spending the last several seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Silas is easily the biggest name of the bunch. He brings 25 years of NBA coaching experience to Toronto, including three seasons as the head coach of the Houston Rockets. He has also worked with the Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons throughout his career.
Silas most recently worked with USA Basketball, coaching the team through the 2025 and 2027 FIBA AmeriCup windows. The team went 11-3 during that stretch and picked up a bronze medal last August.
After three seasons working under Rajakovic, Vest has been promoted to assistant coach. Before joining the Raptors, Vest coached in Germany and at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Kawhi Leonard is not the only familiar face returning to the Raptors this season. There is also a pretty fun reunion happening with Jeremy Castleberry. Castleberry was part of Toronto’s 2018-19 championship staff before leaving with Leonard for Los Angeles. He spent the next several seasons as an assistant with the Clippers.
Toronto is also adding some new faces to its player development group. Stephane Ingo joins after spending the last two seasons with the Sacramento Kings organization. The Mississauga native also played for the Winnipeg Sea Bears before moving into coaching.
Isiah Price joins after four seasons with the Chicago Bulls, while Aidan Wilson comes to Toronto after four seasons with the TMU Bold. They’ll join Ike Azotam and Kareem Elliott in the video and player development group.
Ivo Simović, Vin Bhavnani, Eric Khoury, Jim Sann and Mery Andrade are all returning, while Felecia Brown will be back for her fourth season as Manager, Coaching Operations.
Rajakovic has plenty to figure out this season, especially with Kawhi Leonard now on the team. At least for now, he has a strong, experienced group to help him figure it out as the season inches closer and closer.