The Raptors are set to replace Lenny Wilkens with Kevin O'Neill, who spent one year with the Knicks as an assistant and is currently Rick Carlisle's top aide in Detroit. Toronto senior VP and GM Glen Grunwald talked to Jeff Van Gundy, O'Neill's boss in New York, along with Detroit's Joe Dumars. O'Neill got glowing recommendations. He's never been an NBA head coach, but the Raptors think he fits. Unlike the laid-back Wilkens, he's a fiery workaholic who isn't afraid to speak his mind. We'll see how that goes over with Vince Carter. O'Neill comes cheap, a major consideration because the Raptors are still on the hook for around $7 million with Wilkens. That's why they weren't interested in Van Gundy or other established coaches. The 46-year-old O'Neill's only previous head coaching experience came on the college level at Northwestern, Tennessee and Marquette.