Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic sat courtside at FedExForum Wednesday and watched his team finish shooting free throws before he reached toward the chair next to him.

Out came the laptop. Sitting next to him was newly acquired Toronto player RJ Barrett. Rajakovic pointed at the screen repeatedly, chatting to the wing for nearly 10 minutes. 

The visual was identical to the three seasons he had as the lead assistant in Memphis, when he would do the exact same thing with Desmond Bane.

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As Rajakovic makes his return to Memphis, he sat down with The Daily Memphian to share what life is like as an NBA head coach and reflect on the final stop of his coaching journey before landing a dream gig. 

“Being an NBA head coach is everything that I imagined and more,” Rajakovic said. “There’s a lot of stuff going on every single day. It’s a true blessing to be in a position to lead an NBA team and be one of just 30 NBA head coaches, especially since this is not a United States team, it’s a Canadian team. It makes it like it’s not just a team of the city. It’s not just Toronto’s team, it’s the team of an entire country. It’s just amazing.”

Rajakovic gushes about the neighbors to the North. He loves the city of Toronto and has worked feverishly to build relationships around the city and within the organization. So far, he’s proud of the steps that he and the team have taken, despite going through a bit of a retooling since his arrival. 

“It’s been really good,” Rajakovic said. “It’s my first year, so I’m learning a lot about the organization and the roster. I’m learning a lot about myself. There’s a lot that goes on in the life of a head coach, the day-to-day. But I’ve enjoyed the process. I’m trying to get better every day that I can.”

Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said Tuesday he misses having Rajakovic around, but everyone from the players to the front office are happy for their former colleague.

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“I tried to keep tabs with him as much as I can now that we are in opposite conferences,” Jenkins said. “It’s going to be great to do battle with him (Wednesday) but also give him a big hug before and afterwards. 

“This guy meant a lot to me, a lot to our players and a lot to our staff.”

The friendship between the two coaches dates back well before either arrived in Memphis. In 2012, they coached rival G League teams in Austin and Tulsa. Long before that, Jenkins was an intern for the Spurs while Rajakovic was an international consultant. 

“Taylor is one of my closest friends, not just in the NBA but in my life,” Rajakovic said. “He’s somebody that I love and admire so much as a coach, but so much more as a husband and a father and a person. He’s an amazing human being.”

The date of Rajakovic’s return comes with poor timing, however, because the Grizzlies played the first night of a back-to-back Tuesday. That canceled any plans of catching up.

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Jenkins said he wishes they would have had the opportunity to get dinner. Rajakovic has a backup plan. 

“We’ll try to organize something tonight, if possible,” Rajakovic said. “If not, then I’m going to make sure we get a chance to do that when they come to Toronto (Jan. 22).”

Rajakovic spent more than 10 years as an NBA assistant or G League head coach before landing his latest opportunity. Every stop along the way was important, but especially in Memphis where he helped to develop some of the Grizzlies top players, like Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. 

“Being here was really, really a true blessing for me,” Rajakovic said. “It was such a young organization, from (general manager Zach Kleiman) down to Taylor who are doing an amazing job of representing the city and leading the organization. 

“It was just such a young roster with a lot of young players and up-and-coming guys, with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson. It was just amazing to be a part of that and be around them for three years.

“We accomplished a lot, from the first year being in the play-in and then out of that becoming one of the top two or three teams in the NBA and competing in the playoffs. 

“To see the growth of that roster was very, very special. I have very fond memories of living in Memphis. I love the city of Memphis and the people here. I don’t think I would be in this position without being a part of that organization.”

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Three seasons may not feel like a long time, but in an NBA universe that features constant coaching changes, it was a significant stay. 

The relationships he has built in Memphis are long from over. 

“I’ve always tried to be a players coach,” Rajakovic said. “I try to help players in every possible way. So, always during my career I’ve had an amazing relationship with players. I really care about them. 

“It’s just nice to reconnect with the people you used to work with, especially knowing that their careers are still growing and they are changing. 

“Kids are in their lives now! Desmond Bane has a baby, Armani. I’m looking forward to seeing all of them and seeing their kids as well.”