Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports that the tale of the latest coach to walk the plank isn't quite as simple as it seems.

Scott Skiles, now the ex-coach of the Phoenix Suns, actually tried to get out of his job about a month ago, suggesting he and the owners come to some sort of financial buyout.

Seems the Colangelos weren't interested in parting with Skiles and the money back then, but he was able to work himself out the door by continually suggesting to his bosses and his players that he might not be the right guy to coach the Suns.

He now becomes No.3 on the list of coaches who'll be in demand next fall, after Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Dunleavy. (And, of course, No.4 would be Butch Carter.)