Wilkens Is Out in Toronto

Lenny Wilkens thinks he can build another winner, even after experiencing the worst season of his 30-season NBA career.

The Hall of Fame coach left the Toronto Raptors “by mutual agreement” Thursday after a 24-58 season in which he set the league record for career losses.

“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.”

Wilkens had one season left on his contract. The team said it will pay him what he’s due after reaching what it called “a mutual agreement that concludes Wilkens’ tenure with the team.”

The Raptors won a franchise-best 47 games in Wilkens’ first season and 42 last season, making the playoffs both times. But this time the team was devastated by injuries -- Toronto didn’t suit up all 12 players in any game this season.

Wilkens holds the record for coaching victories (1,292) and losses (1,114). He passed Bill Fitch for the dubious mark with an April 4 loss to San Antonio.

Toronto lost its final eight games, including Wednesday night’s finale in Cleveland. The Raptors’ record was their worst since they went 16-66 in 1997-98.

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Any revenge fantasies the Sacramento Kings have involving the Lakers must remain a fantasy for at least a month longer.

Nearly a year after their thrilling Western Conference finals loss to the three-time champions, the Kings are back almost exactly where they were last April: winners of the Pacific Division, with a roster at full strength and high hopes for their first championship since 1951, when the franchise was in Rochester.

And after the playoff shuffle on the final day of the regular season, the Kings also ended up in what might be the best possible playoff position for their championship aspirations.

“I like the way it looks for us, but you know we’re not looking beyond Game 1 on Saturday,” guard Bobby Jackson said. “Our only goal this season was to get a championship, and I think we’re in a good position to reach our goal. You’re not going to catch me looking at the conference finals, though.”

Their first-round opponents are the Utah Jazz, who lost to Sacramento in the first round last season. If the Kings advance against a team they’ve beaten in seven of their last eight regular-season meetings, they’ll face slumping Dallas or inconsistent Portland in the second round.

The Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs -- easily Sacramento’s two most difficult opponents this season -- both ended up in the other bracket. The Kings won’t face either team before the conference finals.

When asked his thoughts on the Kings’ fortunate breaks in the playoff picture, Coach Rick Adelman laughed.

“There’s no break in this league,” he said. “You think playing the Utah Jazz is a good break? That’s crazy.”

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Forward Antonio McDyess of the New York Knicks will have another knee operation next week, putting his availability for the start of training camp next fall in doubt. The Knicks made the announcement Thursday, a day after he had a CT scan on his broken kneecap.

McDyess, acquired from Denver on draft night last June, was hurt in New York’s third exhibition game and was sidelined for the season.

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Kobe Bryant has the top-selling player jersey and the Lakers remain the most popular team jersey based on combined sales from the NBA Store in New York City and NBA.com since the start of the season.

Also in the top 10 for most popular teams are the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks.

Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson has the second-best selling jersey, followed by Tracy McGrady, Michael Jordan, Paul Pierce, Jason Kidd, Shaquille O’Neal, Latrell Sprewell, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley.