Will Wilkins take over Raptors Reigns?

TORONTO (AP) -- Lenny Wilkens is moving closer to becoming coach of the Toronto Raptors. <br><br>He has been negotiating with general manager Glen Grunwald to succeed Butch Carter, and several reports

Monday, June 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TORONTO (AP) -- Lenny Wilkens is moving closer to becoming coach of the Toronto Raptors.

He has been negotiating with general manager Glen Grunwald to succeed Butch Carter, and several reports say the deal is done.

"There's nothing to announce," general manager Grunwald said Sunday.

"I'm not commenting on the coaching thing until there is something to announce."

The New York Post, citing no sources, said Sunday the coach with the most victories in NBA history has been hired by the Raptors.

The Toronto Star, citing unidentified sources, said an announcement could come Tuesday.

The newspaper said the only thing left is for Wilkens to meet with minority owner Larry Tanenbaum.

The Globe and Mail reported Monday that most of the contract details have been worked out.

Wilkens, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach and player, would become the Raptors' fourth coach in their five-year history.

The 62-year-old Wilkens resigned as coach of the Atlanta Hawks after the season.

Wilkens led the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA title in 1979.

"Nothing is done yet," Wilkens told the Toronto Sun. "I metwith Glen once and we're going to meet again. That's where it stands."

Former Sacramento coach Eddie Jordan, New York assistant coach Don Chaney and coach-turned-broadcaster Doug Collins also have been reported as possible candidates to replace Carter.

Carter led the Raptors to their first playoff berth this season.

But after a tumultuous year off the court, the Raptors fired him last week.

Carter had threatened to sue a rival player for defamation, questioned his players' commitment to winning and sought Grunwald's general manager title.