Bertka Expects Riley to Leave Laker Post : Pro basketball: Dunleavy and Collins are considered among the top replacement candidates.

Pat Riley may announce whether he will remain as the Lakers’ coach as soon as this weekend, but his close friends say he probably already has decided to leave after nine seasons and four NBA championships.

“I have a strong feeling Pat is not coming back,” said Bill Bertka, Riley’s longtime assistant. “Only a miracle will make Pat change his mind now. His decision will be not to come back. I think he wants to take a sabbatical from coaching. I have talked with Pat and he hasn’t flat-out told me that yet. But this thing is coming to a head. He said it probably was going to be decided this weekend.”

Riley, who has interviewed with NBC for a job as an NBA analyst next season, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Anticipating that Riley will resign, Laker management has already considered possible replacements, notably Milwaukee Buck assistant Mike Dunleavy and Laker assistant Randy Pfund.

Jerry West, the Lakers’ general manager, confirmed a report in Thursday’s Milwaukee Journal that the Lakers have asked permission to talk to Dunleavy, 36. West said it was only as a precaution if Riley leaves.

But Mitch Kupchak, the Lakers’ assistant general manager, denied a report in The National that he has met with Dunleavy.

“That’s 100% wrong,” Kupchak said. “I don’t know where that came from. I have known Mike for a long time, but we have not talked about that. That’s up to Jerry West.”

Said West: “Until Pat makes his decision, I’m not going to say anything. It’s up to Pat. I can’t speculate, but I don’t think it’ll be too much longer. But if there is a change, we’ll name a new coach fast, because we have a lot of (personnel decisions) to make.” Dunleavy told the Milwaukee Journal that he would be interested in coaching the Lakers.

“Who wouldn’t?” Dunleavy asked. “I’ve heard all the rumors. Basically, if there is a coaching change out there, Jerry West has asked the Bucks’ permission. I have a great respect for Jerry West, but I don’t know how he feels about me.”

A Laker source said Dunleavy is not the leading candidate should Riley leave. Doug Collins, former Chicago Bulls’ coach, is also said to be one of several candidates.

Pfund, a Laker assistant since 1985-86, said he requested a meeting with West earlier this week to discuss his status. Pfund said they talked about many things, including the possibility of becoming head coach.

“The general flavor of my meeting was that adaptability would be the key,” Pfund said. “If (the Lakers) think bringing in an outside person is better for the team, I am adaptable to that. I am loyal to this organization. I would want to stay.”

Bertka, 62, has ruled himself out as a head coaching candidate. “If Pat’s not coming back, I think they’d want to go with a younger guy with a fresh outlook,” Bertka said.

The National reported Thursday that Riley is said to be mulling a possible front-office position with the Lakers, but Riley denied that Tuesday in a televised interview at halftime of Game 1 of the NBA finals.

“That TV appearance would have been a perfect time for Pat to put all of this to rest and say, ‘The job’s mine,’ but he didn’t do that,” Pfund said. “So, maybe that means he’s made up his mind.”

Jerry Buss, the Lakers’ owner, could not be reached Thursday but Bob Steiner, Buss’ spokesman, denied reports that Riley has already told Buss he will leave. Steiner said that “if (West) talked to Dunleavy, it would be just in case (Riley) doesn’t come back.”

Bertka said Riley is more sensitive to the demands of coaching and player criticism than he lets on. Bertka said the last two weeks have been troubling for Riley.

“It’s ironic that he has to go through this now, after we won 63 games and he won coach of the year,” Bertka said. “This should be the pinnacle of his career.”

Laker Notes

According to a report in an Italian newspaper, veteran Laker guard Michael Cooper is negotiating with a team in the Italian league because the Lakers have told him they would like him to retire and, if not, he would have to earn a roster spot in training camp next season. Cooper, who is in Europe doing basketball clinics, has one season remaining on his contract. Jerry West, the Lakers’ general manager, called the report “an out-and-out falsehood,” and said, “No one with the Lakers has told Michael Cooper any such thing. He’s got a contract with the Lakers. How can he negotiate in Italy if he’s under contract to play for us? We’ve told Michael that we want him to finish his career with us. He’s got a place on this team.”