Bernie Bickerstaff, suffering through another losing campaign in Charlotte, with Emeka Okafor sidelined by ankle troubles, might not return to the sidelines next season.

Word is the Bobcats are already looking at Kentucky's Tubby Smith to be Bickerstaff's successor. Smith has been up for other NBA jobs, including the Sixers' about 10 years ago. If Smith joined the Bobcats, Bickerstaff would stay on in his current GM role.