Raptors' Casey to return next season

Jun 19, 2013 - 7:48 PM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri announced Wednesday that Dwane Casey will remain the team's head coach for the upcoming 2013-14 season.

The future of Casey, who recently completed his second season with the organization, had been uncertain due to the 56-year-old entering the final year of his contract and the recent hiring of Ujiri, previously the GM of the Denver Nuggets, to run the club's front office.

Casey guided the Raptors to a 34-48 record in 2012-13, a slight improvement over the 23-43 mark Toronto posted during his first season at the helm. The team did show signs of progress during the second half, however, in part due to the acquisition of high-scoring forward Rudy Gay on January 30. The Raptors went 18-18 following the trade and closed out the campaign on a five-game winning streak.

"I'm excited about moving forward and growing this team with Coach Casey," said Ujiri in a statement.

Including a 1 1/2-year stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2005-07, Casey has compiled a 110-160 overall mark as a head coach.