Report: Raptors showing interested in former Pelicans coach Monty Williams

Monty Williams wasn't going to be out of a job for long after the Pelicans let him go this week. But that doesn't mean the man who's been New Orleans' head coach for the past five years is guaranteed another position at the same level.

ESPN's Marc Stein reports that the Raptors are interested in bringing in Williams, though not as a head coach:

Mitch Lawrence of NBC New York reported Wednesday that Toronto would bring back Dwane Casey, whose status with the organization was in question after being swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Wizards. His staff, though, seems as if it's going to shake up a bit.

Williams would certainly be a big name to bring into town. His Pelicans won 45 games and snagged the No. 8 seed in the West, only to lose in four games to the Warriors this season.

You'd have to imagine Williams wouldn't jump at a the first opportunity to become an assistant, especially with some head-coaching positions still vacant and others which could open up later.

The Nuggets are trying to find a new coach. So are the Magic. And there are always more. Williams has a history of working with and developing young players, even if his in-game tactics were thrust under the microscope this past season. Plus, his reputation as one of the classier and more-respected personalities among coaches certainly won't hurt him. 

Williams has connections all around the league as a former player, an NBA coach and a Team USA assistant. He'll find something eventually. It'll be interesting to see if he ends up an assistant or a frontman by the start of the 2015-16 season.

(H/t to Marc Stein of ESPN for the report.)