THE RAPTORS' explanation for retaining Lenny Wilkens at the helm of this confused, backward-moving team, apparently is that they cannot afford to fire him right now.

They owe him for the rest of this season and for the next and there is an option for another year, too.

Since they were on the hook for Butch Carter for this season ? they paid through the nose to get out of that contract ? they clearly have some kind of corporate problem with paying three coaches for one season.

That is understandable, but circumstances have intervened. The Raptors are to the point that as expensive as it is to dump Wilkens, it is far more costly to keep him and have the status quo continue.