The [Toronto Raptors](https://www.raptorshq.com) possessed a fourth-year team option in head coach Darko Rajakovic’s contract for the 2026-27 season. However, the franchise decided it isn’t going to leave Rajakovic’s future up to speculation throughout the 2025-26 season.
[Michael Grange of Sportsnet](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/rajakovics-stability-optimism-rewarded-by-raptors/) reported Sunday night that the Raptors picked up their option on Rajakovic’s contract for 2026-27, meaning Rajakovic is contracted through the next two seasons. In fact, Grange reported Toronto had quietly picked up that option this past offseason.
> The decision went under the radar in part because it’s rare a team exercises their option on a contract two seasons ahead of time, and even less so when a first-year coach is coming off a 25-57 season. But it spoke to the organization wanting to be a good faith partner heading into a rebuilding season and also the belief that Rajaković had shown he was the right person to help them pivot towards being competitive again sooner than later.
Rajakovic took over as Raptors head coach in the summer of 2023. Following the 25-57 record in his first season, Rajakovic has coached the Raptors to a 28-47 record so far this season. Sitting at the No. 11 seed in the Eastern Conference and well back of the play-in, Toronto is slated to miss the playoffs for the second straight season under Rajakovic.
Despite the poor record, Grange wrote that Toronto is pleased with Rajakovic’s work because of the culture he has built and his relationship-building skills with players.
> But even as the Raptors are set to miss the playoffs for the second straight year under Rajaković, there is a sense of stability, optimism and even buoyancy around the team.
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> A big reason is Rajaković himself, as the espresso aficionado has somehow been able to get his roster to buy in on individual improvement and team-wide effort and execution, even while fulfilling the organizational mandate to use this season as an opportunity to nab as high a draft pick as feasible.
You may recall the Portland Trail Blazers have a fifth-year team option in head coach Chauncey Billups’ contract coming up next season. The Blazers still haven’t made a decision on that option, leaving Billups’ near future with the franchise up in the air.