Bobcats won't keep coach Bickerstaff after this year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Jordan now gets a chance to hire a coach for his basketball team.

Jordan, part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, said Tuesday that Bernie Bickerstaff will not return as coach next season, although he will complete this one. He will be invited to stay with the team and remains an "integral part" of the franchise.

The third-year expansion team is 23-41 and last in the Southeast Division. Bickerstaff, also the general manager, has been credited with assembling a core of skilled players.

"I want him involved," Jordan said. "We just haven't decided if that's as general manager or president of basketball operations. I see him staying with the organization."

Bickerstaff, 67-161 in three seasons, said when he was first hired that he wanted to coach for only two or three years before becoming the full-time general manager. But when Jordan was brought in as a minority owner last spring and given the final say on basketball decisions, Bickerstaff's future was in doubt.

Jordan said it's too early to talk about the next coach.

"We haven't got to that point," he said. "Bernie is still going to finish out the season. When the season is over, he and I will sit down and have those type of conversations — who best suits the structure of players we have on this team."

Owner Bob Johnson indicated Jordan will have sole authority to hire the new coach.

"I have absolute confidence in Michael to make the decision," Johnson said.

Jordan, dressed in jeans and a red jacket, was confident the Bobcats, with a coach he hand-picks, will become a winner.

BOGUT MAY FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION: Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut may face disciplinary action from the NBA after making an obscene gesture toward the crowd near the end of Milwaukee's 108-93 loss to Toronto Monday night.

Bogut, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, was ejected after committing a flagrant foul against Toronto's Chris Bosh with 49 seconds remaining.

T-WOLVES WAIVE GRIFFIN: The Timberwolves waived Eddie Griffin on Tuesday, ending the forward's tumultuous three seasons in Minnesota.