The Toronto Raptors are finalizing an agreement to hire former Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Rex Kalamian. Kalamian has been on the Raptors' radar for the past few weeks after being part of the coaching staff that would not return once Thunder head coach Scott Brooks was fired. Prior to that, Kalamian was on the Thunder's coaching staff for the past six seasons, and was Brooks' top assistant for the past four seasons. 

Tasked with defensive coordination and player development, Kalamian oversaw a defense that was ranked top 11 in terms of defensive rating for 3 of the last 4 seasons. Much of Kalamian's defensive principles were learned under assistant coach Ron Adams, who coached on the Thunder's staff in Kalamian's first season with the team. Kalamian's defensive principles are heavy on switching the pick and roll and protecting the paint. Those same principles made the world champion Golden State Warriors one of the better defenses in the league this season, under the tutelage of assistant coach Ron Adams. 

Kalamian has also greatly assisted in the development of, not only Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka, but also Reggie Jackson, Steven Adams, and Andre Roberson. Kalamian served as the Thunder's summer league head coach in 2013 and 2014. The Thunder, who played in the Orlando Summer League both seasons, won the summer league championship in 2013, going 5-0. 

Before Oklahoma City, Kalamian had assistant coaching stints in Los Angeles (Clippers), Philadelphia, Denver, Minnesota, and Sacramento. With over 20 years of experience in the NBA, Kalamian has become a wanted man in NBA assistant coaching circles. Kalamian would have likely followed Scott Brooks if he would've taken a head coaching job this offseason. But once Brooks announced he was going to sit this season out, Kalamian essentially became a coaching free agent. The Raptors, who's coaching staff lacks a dearth of NBA coaching experience, jumped at the opportunity to add Kalamian to Dwayne Casey's staff. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Alex Roig
Jordan introduced me to the love of the game. Civically connected to all Oklahoma teams (yes, even you, OSU). If there's a ball and a court/field, I'm playing. Hoping to turn this blogging thing into a profession.