Bickerstaff won’t return as coach of the Bobcats

Michael Jordan now gets a chance to hire a coach for his team.

Jordan, part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and managing member of basketball operations, said Tuesday that Bernie Bickerstaff will not return as coach next season, although he will complete this one. Jordan said Bickerstaff, also the general manager, will be invited to stay with the team.

The third-year expansion team is 23-41. Bickerstaff, 62, is 67-161 in three seasons.

Jordan said it’s too early to talk about the next coach.

Meanwhile, the NBA fined guard Brevin Knight $25,000 for verbal abuse of a game official and failing to leave the court in a timely manner after receiving a technical foul Saturday against Memphis.

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Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut apologized for getting “caught up in the heat of the moment” and making an obscene gesture toward the home crowd while leaving Monday’s loss to Toronto. Bogut may face disciplinary action from the NBA for the outburst, which came after he was ejected for committing a flagrant foul against Toronto’s Chris Bosh with 49 seconds left.

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Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler didn’t practice because of a sore left knee and might be sidelined tonight against the Indiana. Butler was hurt during a March 7 loss at Atlanta.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves waived forward Eddie Griffin, 24, who played with them for three seasons but hadn’t played since Dec. 13.