NBA

Brown saga expected to end with a buyout

DETROIT - All indications are that Larry Brown's days as Pistons coach are over.

The team worked on the final details of a buyout Monday, but it made no announcement.

Several news outlets, including ESPN.com, SI.com, the New York Times and New York Daily News , reported Brown was gone. Joe Dumars, Pistons president of basketball operations, wouldn't confirm or deny the reports.

Said Joe Glass, Brown's agent: "Larry's not quitting. He wants to be the Pistons coach on Oct. 3, but seeing that the Pistons supposedly have already talked to Flip Saunders, that doesn't look like it's going to be a possibility.

"Healthwise, emotionally and spiritually, Larry wants to coach. What's going to happen next - I will talk to the Pistons (today) and move forward."

Saunders, the former Timberwolves coach, is the leading candidate to replace Brown.

Brown's future has been uncertain for months. After the season, Brown had surgery for a bladder problem, which has bothered him since last season.

Brown, 64, has three years and $18-million left on his contract.

SONICS PROMOTE ASSISTANT: Seattle hired Bob Weiss as coach, promoting the 11-year assistant who worked under former coaches George Karl, Paul Westphal and Nate McMillan. It will be the fourth NBA coaching job for Weiss, 63, who agreed to a three-year deal. He coached the Spurs from 1986-88 (going 59-105), the Hawks from 1990-93 (124-122) and the Clippers in 1993-94 (27-55).

BUCKS Center Andrew Bogut, the No. 1 pick in the draft, was ejected from a summer league game after tangling with Pacers center John Edwards, who also was ejected. "It was a pretty quick hook. I needed a rest anyway," said Bogut, who was 1-for-7 with six points and four fouls in 26 minutes of his team's 79-72 win.

HEAT: Stan Van Gundy said he and team president Pat Riley met for 31/2 hours on Sunday: "He assured me that I would be coaching the Miami Heat this coming season. There were no stipulations attached."

ROCKETS: Free-agent forward Stromile Swift reached an agreement reportedly worth $30-million over five years.

[Last modified July 19, 2005, 01:09:13]