Colangelo Set to Join Raptors After Leaving Suns

Bryan Colangelo, the Phoenix Suns’ president and general manager, swung a midseason deal: He’s switching teams.

Colangelo resigned Monday and is expected to join the Toronto Raptors today as president and general manager. He’ll replace Rob Babcock, fired Jan. 26 by the Raptors.

Colangelo was the NBA’s executive of the year after the Suns’ retooled roster won a league-high 62 games in 2004-05.

“Bryan has decided that his preference is to leave the Suns, and under those circumstances, we saw no option other than to accept his decision,” Sun managing partner Robert Sarver said in a statement.

Richard Peddie, president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said a news conference was scheduled today to announce the hiring of Colangelo in Toronto.

Colangelo, 40, could not be reached for comment.

He spent 17 years with the Suns, the last 11 as general manager -- a job first held by his father, Jerry, when the team was founded in 1968. Jerry Colangelo sold the team to a group led by Sarver but will remain chairman and chief executive until the sale is complete after the 2006-07 season.

Bryan Colangelo’s relationship with Sarver soured amid reports that the two had been unable to agree on an extension of Colangelo’s contract. The Suns permitted the Raptors to begin discussions with Colangelo more than a week ago, Peddie said.

Colangelo’s contract was reportedly worth $1 million per year and expired after next season. He also has an ownership stake in the Suns that he’ll have to sell.

The Raptors reportedly offered Colangelo a multiyear deal worth $3 million annually. The job gives him more power over basketball operations than he has with the Suns.

“He has complete autonomy for the basketball organization,” Peddie said. “He’ll be president of business and basketball.”

Toronto (20-36) has been competitive since a 1-15 start but is still fourth in the Atlantic Division. The Phoenix team built by Colangelo leads the Pacific Division and has the NBA’s fourth-best record (38-17) despite being without forward Amare Stoudemire all season.

Sarver said he would proceed methodically in finding a replacement, and he did not plan to name an interim general manager.

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Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves was fined $5,000 by the NBA for throwing a basketball into the stands in Sunday’s victory over Memphis, accidentally hitting a fan.

He reacted after being called for an offensive foul in the third quarter, and was ejected from the game.

Teammate Ricky Davis was also fined $5,000 for kicking a ball into the stands Friday in a loss to Denver.