MIAMI — Bryan Colangelo resigned Monday as general manager of the Phoenix Suns, and he's expected to join the Toronto Raptors as president and general manager Tuesday.
Colangelo will replace Rob Babcock, who was fired Jan. 26 by the Raptors. Colangelo was the NBA's 2005 executive of the year after the Suns' retooled roster won a league-high 62 games.
"Bryan has decided that his preference is to leave the Suns, and under those circumstances, we saw no other option other than to accept his decision," Suns managing partner Robert Sarver said in a statement.
Richard Peddie, president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said a news conference was scheduled Tuesday to announce the hiring of Colangelo. The Raptors were in Miami for a game Monday night.
"We're very close to finishing the deal," Peddie said. "Let's get back to Toronto safely and get some signatures on paper, and I'll be a happy guy."
Colangelo could not be reached for comment. He was in his 11th season as the Suns' general manager and 17th with the team. His father is Suns chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo, who sold the club to a group led by Sarver.
Colangelo reportedly had a contract with the Suns worth $1 million per year that ran through next season, and he also had an ownership stake.
The Raptors reportedly offered Colangelo a multiyear deal worth $3 million per year. The job will give him more power over basketball operations than he had with the Suns.
"He has complete autonomy for the basketball organization," Peddie said. "He'll be president of business and basketball."
WALLACE FINED $5,000: Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace was fined $5,000 by the NBA on Monday for elbowing Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
As Ilgauskas drove for a layup in the first quarter Sunday, Wallace elbowed him in the top of the head. Blood spilled down Ilgauskas' forehead and he needed five stitches. Detroit won 90-78.
Wallace was called for a flagrant foul, which was upgraded by the league to a flagrant foul two.
Wallace declined comment before Monday's game at Cleveland, the second in two days between the teams.
"It happens," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "It's done."
Ilgauskas, who returned to Sunday's game, said he was feeling fine Monday. He wouldn't comment on whether he thought Wallace should have been suspended.
"It's not up to me," Ilgauskas said. "You just leave it up to the league."