Report: Suns assistant coach Darko Rajakovic joins Memphis Grizzlies staff

The Phoenix Suns are losing a third assistant coach from this past season.

Darko Rajakovic will depart the team and join the Memphis Grizzlies staff, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Rajakovic this season was part of a much-improved Suns team. He worked with players including Mikal Bridges, who tweaked his shooting form during the year.

Wojnarowski tweeted that Rajakovic has a strong reputation of developing young players.

Rajakovic, an assistant with the Serbian national team, built a strong reputation working with young players with Oklahoma City and Phoenix. Ideal fit for the Grizzlies trajectory. https://t.co/gtJ5r86e28

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 13, 2020

Like Phoenix, the Grizzlies have a young, promising core built on the foundation of a guard and a big. Rookie of the Year Ja Morant is on track to be an All-Star sooner than later, and Jaren Jackson Jr. shows the skill to be a modern NBA center.

The Grizzlies, who were in eighth place for most of the season, finished 34-39 and lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in the play-in game.

Rajakovic is the third assistant coach the Suns have lost from the 2019-20 staff. Assistants Steve Blake and Larry Greer left the Suns in July.

Former Minnesota Timberwolves player development coach Brian Randle will join the Phoenix staff, the Suns announced Tuesday.

Oof. Rajakovic was a key member of Monty Williams' staff and played a part in shaping the offense that led the league in assists. He worked with players too, helping Mikal Bridges improve his shot, as one example. https://t.co/ObND9SYaGr

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) September 13, 2020

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