Saying it was the toughest decision he’s ever had to make, Raptors President Masai Ujiri also feels it was time to replace head coach Dwane Casey.

The most successful coach in team history is gone after being eliminated by the Cavaliers for the third consecutive year in the playoffs.

The 61-year-old Casey led the Raptors to four Atlantic Division titles in five season, and three straight 50-win seasons, including a franchise record 59 this past season (34 coming at home which was tied with Houston for best in the NBA).

The firing comes just two days after winning the coach of the year award.

League sources feel Ujiri won’t take long to hire a new coach, saying a move like this is not made unless you know who that next person will likely be.

In-house options include Jerry Stackhouse, who led the Raptors 905 G-League team to the championship in 2017 and the Finals this year.

Another possible replacement is Nick Nurse, Casey’s offensive co-ordinator for five seasons.