​The NBA 2026 Las Vegas Summer League kicks off on July 9, and the Toronto Raptors are poised to cultivate their young talents. However, they will have to pursue this development without James Wade, who will not be returning to the team this season. Wade, who served as a bench assistant for three seasons under Darko Rajaković, is leaving Toronto. The former Raptors assistant had previously led the Chicago Sky as head coach and general manager to the franchise’s lone WNBA title in 2021.
Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, a longtime Raptors observer, reported that Wade would not be back in Toronto on July 8. Grange noted on social media, “Former Raptors assistant Mike Batiste has taken a lead assistant job with his old club, Panathinaikos, in the EuroLeague. James Wade won’t be back with Raptors.” Wade’s first season as the Sky’s head coach and GM was 2019, and he immediately helped steer the team from a two-year playoff drought to a 20-14 finish. Under his leadership, the Sky captured the 2021 WNBA championship.
Yet, after 2021, the Sky’s trajectory shifted, and Wade departed partway through the 2023 season. Since then, Chicago has undergone several coaching changes: interim coach Emre Vatansever in 2023, Teresa Weatherspoon in 2024, and the current head coach Tyler Marsh. The franchise has also seen star players depart. Kahleah Copper, Marina Mabrey, and Angel Reese were all traded, contributing to a period of instability for the organization.
Wade’s departure has coincided with a broader struggle within the Sky to maintain consistency, transparency, and professionalism on and off the court. Reese was traded following public comments challenging the franchise to improve its talent pool for 2025, and Diggins-Smith’s later public remarks drew scrutiny from fans and media. After Reese’s comments, the Sky opted to trade her, and Diggins-Smith faced benching in the wake of her social posts, which sparked ongoing conversations about the team’s handling of players who speak out.
Tyler Marsh, addressing the benching during a press conference, attributed the decision to coaching prerogatives, noting that roster moves and bench assignments are ultimately the coach’s call. Wade’s exit from the Raptors, while a setback for Toronto’s immediate plans, may open the possibility of Wade returning to the WNBA in the future, should opportunities arise that align with his coaching philosophy and career goals.
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In summary, as the Raptors prepare for the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League, their attention remains on developing their young roster despite Wade’s departure. The Sky’s recent coaching shifts and player movements underscore the challenges teams face in maintaining consistency and transparency, both of which can shape a franchise’s direction for years to come.