The Toronto Raptors continue revamping their coaching staff amid a transformational offseason.

Three weeks after replacing Nick Nurse with Darko Rajakovic as head coach and less than 24 hours after watching franchise stalwart Fred VanVleet sign elsewhere in free agency, the Raptors have added Chicago Sky head coach and general manager James Wade as an assistant, the Sky announced in a press release on Saturday.

Wade was named Chicago's coach and general manager in November 2018 after spending the previous two seasons an assistant with the Minnesota Lynx. He quickly became one of the WNBA's most successful coaches, winning Coach of the Year during his debut campaign with the Sky and leading them to an underdog championship run in 2021.

Article Continues Below
More Toronto Raptors News
Toronto Raptors vice chairman and team president Masai Ujiri talks to the media during media day at Scotiabank Area.
Masai Ujiri, Raptors part ways after 2025 NBA DraftPreston Byers ·
Florida Gators guard Alijah Martin (15) speaks to the media during a press conference for the men's 2025 NCAA tournament at Alamodome.
Raptors’ Alijah Martin sets record straight on Vince Carter’s jersey numberRichard Pereira ·
Florida Gators guard Alijah Martin (15) reacts after a play against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
Raptors select Final Four history maker with No. 39 pickRichard Pereira ·
Toronto Raptors shooting guard RJ Barrett (9) shoots a jump shot against. Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) and Brooklyn Nets guard Tyson Eitenne (10) during the first half at Barclays Center.
Raptors add ACC DPOY after NBA DraftLorenzo J Reyna ·
South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts talks to media before practice at Amalie Arena.
South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts supports boyfriend Colin Murray-Boyles at NBA DraftJess Koffie ·
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena.
Dawn Staley makes ‘sneaky’ Chloe Kitts-Colin Murray Boyles joke during draftZachary Draves ·

Emre Vatansever, Wade's top assistant in Chicago, has been named the team's interim head coach and general manager, effective immediately. The Sky are 7-9 this season, coming off two straight wins over the Los Angeles Sparks.

After retiring following a 12-year playing career overseas, Wade got his start as a coach with the San Antonio Spurs, serving as an assistant under Gregg Popovich from 2012 to 2016. He returns to the NBA in a much less stable situation, the Raptors coming off a disappointing 2022-23 season and reeling from VanVleet's decision to accept the Houston Rockets' offer of a fully guaranteed three-year, max contract.

Rajakovic, long among basketball's most respected assistants, has a tough task ahead of him next season with the rebuilt Raptors, even if team president Masai Ujiri continues resisting the urge to initiate a full-scale rebuild by trading Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby. Regardless, Wade's varied coaching experience and success in the WNBA should certainly help smooth Rajakovic's transition to the Raptors' head job.