Report: Raptors to name ex-Suns head coach Watson as assistant

The Toronto Raptors are finalizing a deal to hire former Phoenix Suns head coach Earl Watson as an assistant on Nick Nurse's staff, sources told Yahoo Sport's Chris Haynes.

Watson's appointment comes following the departure of longtime front-row Raptors assistant and Raptors 905 boss Jama Mahlalela, who joined Steve Kerr's revamped Golden State Warriors staff in early July.

Nurse and the Raptors have also lost three other assistants over the past year to head coaching jobs with other teams: Nate Bjorkgren (Indiana Pacers), Chris Finch (Minnesota Timberwolves), and Sergio Scariolo (Virtus Bologna)

Watson spent parts of three seasons in charge of the Suns from 2015 to 2018, guiding the team to a 33-85 record and .280 winning percentage. Phoenix fired him following an 0-3 start to the 2017-18 campaign that included the worst loss in franchise history and worst season-opening performance in NBA history.

The 42-year-old appeared in 878 contests while suiting up for the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers over a 13-year playing career.