Sonics GM: Carlesimo To Stay Put As Seattle Coach

May 1, 2008 11:16 p.m. EST

Bellevue, WA (AHN) - Seattle general manager Sam Presti on Thursday assured that P.J. Carlesimo will return as coach of the Sonics for next season.

Presti was thrown the question of whether he would retain the 58-year-old Carlesimo, whose young wards dropped the worst record in franchise history. Speaking at a ceremony honoring Kevin Durant as the NBA's rookie of the year, the general manager replied by saying "absolutely."

The Sonics went 20-62 as the lineup struggled without a veteran leader. Presti unloaded veterans Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis and opted to rebuild the franchise under Durant and fellow rookie Jeff Green.

Carlesimo and Presti have worked together when the two were in San Antonio. Carlesimo was then an assistant to Spurs coach Gregg Poppovich while Presti held his assistant GM post.

In three coaching stints with Portland, Golden State and Seattle, Carlesimo amassed a career record of 203-284.