Raptors coach Sam Mitchell is believed to be the Indiana Pacers' top choice to replace the fired Rick Carlisle. The Raptors' season ended Friday when they lost to New Jersey in the playoffs.

The Pacers have to ask permission to speak to Mitchell since he is under contract with the Raptors until June 30. Charlotte reportedly also is interested in Mitchell, who won NBA Coach of the Year honors.

Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo, who has said in the past he wants to re-sign Mitchell, told Toronto reporters Saturday he's not sure he will give teams permission to talk to his coach.

"I think it depends on how the conversations go out of the gate," Colangelo told reporters. "I need to have a preliminary conversation before I can answer that fairly. It's a good question and one that I'll have a better feel for once we have a firm and concrete and realistic conversation with (Mitchell's agent) Lonnie (Cooper)."