Even though there a lockout in the NBA, the Toronto Raptors have found their new coaching staff. Head coach Dwane Casey has brought over a few old friends from his stops around the NBA. Johnny Davis, will be joining Casey as an assistant coach again, after Casey’s first stint as head coach in Minnesota. Davis has since been a head coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. Davis has spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Casey’s next new hire is Tom Sterner, who worked last year as an advanced scout for the Philadelphia 76ers. Sterner has worked with Casey in Dallas, and has worked as an assistant coach in the NBA for 13 years.

Returning as assistant coaches for the Toronto Raptors are Micah Nori, Scott Roth and Eric Hughes. All three have spent some time with the Toronto Raptors. Nori has been involved with the organization since 1998. Hughes will be entering his fifth year with the team, while Roth will be on for his second straight season with the Raptors.

While there is still a stoppage of work in the NBA, that hasn’t stopped Raptors team President Bryan Colangelo for keeping an eye out to improve the team. Colabgelo has held the title of General Manager in past years, but is now willing to hire a GM while he takes care of other affairs with the organization.

Yahoo Sports is reporting that three candidates have emerged for the job. Among them is Philadelphia 76ers GM Ed Stefanski.The Sixers seem to be going through some management overhauls, and that means that Stefanski may be looking for a new place.

Other candidates include Jeff Bower, the former GM of the New Orleans Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs assistant GM Dennis Lindsey.

While interviews haven’t started yet, Colangelo has permission from the teams to begin the formal interview process.

Colangelo, a two time executive of the year earned a two-year contract extension with the Raptors, but ownership is keeping a close watch on Colangelo. He’s vowed to make changes and start winning, a point emphasized with the hiring of Casey. Casey has been recognized as a defensive oriented coach, an element sorely missing from the Raptors last few seasons.

Although Colangelo would be hiring a new GM, he has the last say in any basketball operations related  to the team.

Of course this all relies on whether or not the lockout continues to impede the progress of the 2011-12 NBA season. Even if the league and players union come to terms, the Toronto Raptors have quite a few more moves to make, after winning just 22 games last season.