The Raptors will not be making a coaching change in the near future.

General manager Glen Grunwald yesterday was asked bluntly if coach Lenny Wilkens' job is safe.

"Yes, I would say it's safe," said Grunwald, whose team has lost 10 games in a row and is two games below .500 at 29-31.

Disgruntled fans increasingly have been looking for someone to blame for the Raptors' collapse. And since the trade deadline has passed, the only major change that could be made is a coaching change.

Votes of confidence for coaches in pro sports never are absolute -- general managers can start to feel pressure from above, after all. But if Grunwald is to be taken at his word, at this point he is not prepared to make Wilkens a scapegoat.