Brown Stays, Croce Out With 76ers

Larry Brown wasn’t ready to walk away. Pat Croce didn’t want to stay.

Brown, who won coach of the year honors while leading the Philadelphia 76ers into the NBA Finals, said Wednesday he is returning as coach.

Brown, 60, had been contemplating retirement since the Finals.

“My only issue was I wanted to be in position where I can give my team all they have given me,” Brown said. “After going through these last two years without a break, I just wasn’t sure.

“Then having time with my family . . . I just thought I was ready to go on. Coming back for rookie camp, being around the players is something I truly love.”

Last summer, Brown was an assistant on the gold medal-winning U.S. team in the Sydney Olympics.

Ed Snider, chairman of the 76ers, announced Brown’s return at a news conference in which Croce stepped down as president.

Croce, who wanted to be chief executive officer of the company that owns the 76ers, will remain in the organization as a consultant. Croce also remains a minority owner and board member.

“I want to grow, I have to grow,” Croce said. “I like to continue to learn and tackle new challenges. I needed new responsibilities.”

Brown has four years remaining on his contract.

“I couldn’t have a better job,” Brown said. “This is the only place I want to coach.”

Forward Joe Smith, forced to leave Minnesota last year because of a series of illegal contracts designed to sidestep the salary cap, rejoined the Timberwolves with a six-year, $33.8-million contract, according to published reports.

Smith, 26, played last season with the Detroit Pistons.

The Orlando Magic re-signed center Andrew DeClercq, 28, and power forward Don Reid, 27. . . . The Washington Wizards waived forward Michael Smith, 29, exercising a $250,000 buyout option that will save the team $2.15 million under the salary cap. . . . As expected, forward Stacey Augmon, 32, left the Portland Trail Blazers and signed a two-year, $4.2-million contract with the Charlotte Hornets.