On Sunday during the Toronto Raptors’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers, one piece of news sort of outshined the actual game. Michael Grange of Sportsnet broke the news that the Raptors had picked up their option on Darko Rajakovic’s contract. Similar to player contracts in the NBA, coaches contracts can have team options where the franchise can decide whether or not they would like to extend a coach’s contract. With this, Rajakovic is now contracted through the 2026-2027 season.
This is a vote of confidence from the Toronto Raptors of their first time head coach who has lead this team through their rebuild. Though the team has not seen much success in the way of winning in the Darko era, what’s shined through is his relationship building with his players. Even now, as the Raptors barrel toward the draft lottery, Darko has somehow been able to achieve buy-in on his roster, top to bottom.
Now, say what you will about the on-court results of the Toronto Raptors in Darko’s coaching tenure, but that has not been the biggest priority. When Darko was hired, this team was in a state of disconnection, disillusion, and felt like they were flailing in an attempt to build team culture among a roster filled with young kids. There was no clear leader.
"Man, Darko's the GOAT, man"-- I spoke with Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and Garrett Temple about Darko Rajakovic, who earned the Raptors trust during dark times, and has earned a chance to help them in the brighter days to come: https://t.co/Wu3FPQPQm8
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) March 31, 2025
Enter Rajakovic, and (nearly) two years down the line, he has delivered on that front. Every one of his players (past and present) “gush” about their relationship with Darko, as Grange describes. He travelled to go to Immanuel Quickley’s uncle’s funeral. He was available 24/7 for RJ Barrett after the tragic passing of his younger brother. He spent time in the offseason spending genuine quality time with his players. He asks them about their families — and remembers things about them to check back in on.
Sure, on many other teams this may not be a priority — the on-court result is more important than the relationships. Yet, on a developing team — and one essentially starting from the bottom — you need that off-court buy-in before you see the on-court results.
It’s always been about more than just basketball for Darko, but he’s also a basketball junkie, as he calls himself. Garrett Temple told Grange that he’s never gone into nuance on the defensive end as much as he has with Darko. He is a master of bringing out the best in players who may not have had the chance before.
On the outside looking in, as a media member, I personally have glowing reviews of Darko. He is personable with the media and understands the relationship between media and coach that ends up turning into good and accessible team coverage. He’s the kind of guy who will see you with a cold drip coffee from the media room and go back and make you an espresso from the locker room (he did that for Doug Smith last week). When he comes out during warmups to check on his players and coaches, he says hello to every staff member he passes. Does this matter in the long run when it comes to winning games? No, but it shows the type of leader he is.
Regardless of the results of the Darko era, he’s been the leader of team culture for two seasons, and that will have long term results. In however many years it takes the Raptors to be back to winning ways, they will have this baseline of team camaraderie and culture that will be the boost they need to succeed.
If anyone deserves the benefit of the doubt to continue to develop as a coach, it’s Darko. His two seasons have been turbulent when it comes to injuries, trades, rebuilding, etc. Next season is basically the first “real” season he will be judged when it comes to on court results. Plus, it would have been detrimental to the building this team is trying to do to fire Darko after this season, lose the locker room, and have to rebuild that next season while also trying to have a winning season. These players would run through a wall for Darko, and so you need to make sure they have their coach if you want them to start seeing results.
For now, this means that the Toronto Raptors are bought in on the Rajakovic system. We’ll see how he can impress them next season.