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Casey says he's been assured of return as Raptors coach

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Any major offseason changes the Toronto Raptors undergo will not include a new head coach, according to the man who holds that title.

When Dwane Casey was asked Wednesday if he's had assurances from team president Masai Ujiri that he'll be back next season, Casey indicated that was affirmative.

"Yes ... I think people mistook Masai's comments," Casey said on TSN 1050's "Naylor & Landsberg" show in regard to comments Ujiri made about an organizational culture change. "We had a good meeting, and we've had meetings since then."

Following Toronto's second-round sweep by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ujiri told reporters the Raptors need "a culture reset." With team catalyst Kyle Lowry heading into unrestricted free agency, the roster could look very different next season, and many have also speculated Casey's days were numbered.

"I think people panicked. It was after an emotional series against Cleveland," Casey said. "We're doing some good things, and things we could do much better with, and that's what we plan on doing this summer and also in the fall when we go to training camp."

Casey - who's the NBA's fourth-longest tenured head coach after Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, and Rick Carlisle - is no stranger to criticism in Toronto fan and media circles, frequently over a perceived apathy in making on-court adjustments. Still, Casey is the winningest coach in franchise history, although he's also the only one with a career record above .500.

Casey downplayed past reports of tension with Lowry, and said with the point guard still in Toronto as his son finishes the school year, he's spoken with him recently.

"He's earned the right to become an unrestricted free agent," Casey said. "He has a decision to make. Kyle loves Toronto, he loves the city. He's got a huge decision to make for him and his family."

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