Wilkens, Raptors part ways

Toronto coach exits 'by mutual agreement'

? Lenny Wilkens is out as coach of the Toronto Raptors, leaving Thursday by “mutual agreement” after the worst season of his 30-year NBA career. Wilkens, who owns the league’s career coaching records for most victories (1,292) and losses (1,114), went 24-58 this season. Toronto finished seventh in the eight-team Central Division.

“I feel like I’ve got a lot of coaching left in me. I’m going to look at some options,” the 65-year-old Wilkens said. “I still have a love of the game. I’ll be involved one way or another.”

He had one season left on his contract with the Raptors, who will pay him what’s due after reaching what the team called “a mutual agreement that concludes Wilkens’ coaching tenure with the team.”

Because of a rash of player injuries, Wilkens never had a full roster to work with this year, his third with the team. All-Star Vince Carter missed nearly half the season because of injuries.

“It didn’t end the way I wanted to,” Wilkens said. “It has been a most difficult year, very difficult to control injuries.”