Toronto retains Coach of the Year with multiyear deal

	Sam Mitchell, who led the Raptors to the Atlantic title, was set to be a free agent on July 1. AP

By Marty Burns, SI.com

Sam Mitchell, the NBA's Coach of the Year, has decided to return as Raptors coach.

The Raptors and Mitchell agreed Friday on the basic parameters for a multiyear deal worth around $4 million per year, according to a league source with knowledge of the negotiations. An announcement could come early next week.

The story was originally reported by The Canadian Press.

Mitchell, who led Toronto to a 47-35 record despite an overhauled roster, was set to become a free agent July 1. He was reported to be a top candidate for openings in Indiana, Memphis and Charlotte.

Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo did not return phone calls seeking comment Friday night. Colangelo has said all along the team wanted to bring back Mitchell, who had spent the past three seasons in Toronto; but many around the league wondered if a deal would get done. Mitchell, the NBA's lowest-paid coach, was said to be seeking a hefty pay raise. Also, it's natural for a new GM such as Colangelo to want to bring in his own people at some point.

Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni, for example, was considered a likely candidate if the position opened.

But Colangelo, who recently won Executive of the Year honors, apparently decided Mitchell was still the best man for the job. Mitchell certainly produced results in 2006-07. Despite his lame-duck status, a new up-tempo offensive system and a roster featuring three key international imports, he overcame a 2-8 start to lead the Raptors to their first division title and first playoff berth in five years.

Mitchell's agreement to stay in Toronto, meanwhile, could trigger movement in other places where coaching vacancies exist. The Pacers, Grizzlies and Bobcats all reportedly had Mitchell high on their lists. Colangelo confirmed last week that he had denied permission for one team to interview Mitchell until his contract expired. Other teams seeking coaches include the Sonics, Kings and Rockets. Houston apparently has settled on Rick Adelman to take over for the fired Jeff Van Gundy. Sacramento met Friday with former NBA star and current New Mexico State head coach Reggie Theus about replacing the fired Eric Musselman.