After Jay Triano was fired as the Toronto Raptors coach in 2011 he became the team’s vice president of pro scouting. One of his responsibilities was scouring the league for undeveloped young talent, and the best time to do that was late in the NBA season.
“I know what Kevin Durant and Steph Curry can do but I don’t know what some of these other guys who are finally being afforded minutes can do,” Triano said. “If I can see something as a scout that excites me and he becomes available … . These are the valuable times because you get to see guys play that sometimes wouldn’t.