The Toronto Raptors have narrowed their GM search down to four candidates, according to David Aldridge of NBA.com. The latest name to surface is former Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard, who currently holds a front office position with the Indiana Pacers. Via The Score: “The Toronto Raptors have narrowed their search for a new General Manager down to four… Three names in the mix – Ed Stefanski, Jeff Bower and Dennis Lindsey – were already known to be in the running for the job, but Aldridge’s report includes a new name in former Portland Trail Blazers executive Kevin Pritchard. According to the report, Pritchard is ‘a strong candidate’ for the position. Pritchard was the Blazers General Manager from 2007 to 2010, recording a .500 record or better in three straight seasons. He is currently working in the player personnel department for the Indiana Pacers, but the report indicates that he can leave his position if he obtains a General Manager job with another franchise.”

TORONTO (Reuters) – The Toronto Raptors said on Wednesday they had moved head coach Jay Triano into a consultancy role after he failed to reach the playoffs in his three seasons in charge.

Triano was promoted to head coach early in the 2008-09 season and compiled a record of 87-142 during his tenure with the Raptors, which reached a low point in this past campaign.

After losing All Star Chris Bosh to Miami on a free a year ago they ended the regular season with a dismal 22-60 record.

“This was a difficult decision to make, but after almost three full seasons of observation and evaluation I believe that bringing in a new voice as head coach will accelerate the progress we are looking to make in the coming years,” Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo told the team’s website (nba.com/raptors).

“I am very pleased that Jay has agreed to stay on and help see through the plan that we have designed and initiated together.”

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles. Edited by Patrick Johnston)

Updated Jun 1, 2011 6:20 PM ET

TORONTO (AP)

Jay Triano will not return as Toronto Raptors coach next season.

That’s all for today.

TORONTO (AP) — Jay Triano will not return as Toronto Raptors coach next season.

The Raptors announced Wednesday they will not exercise their option on Triano’s contract. He will be retained as a consultant and a special assistant to president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

“I have great respect for Jay Triano both as a person and as a basketball mind,” Colangelo said in a release Wednesday. “Jay deserves tremendous credit for developing our young players this past season and our most recent win-loss record does not appropriately reflect his many positive contributions to this organization.”

Triano, an Ontario native, guided the Raptors to a record of 87-142 in his three seasons as coach. He served as an assistant to three coaches before being named interim head coach in December 2008 following the dismissal of Sam Mitchell. The interim tag was later removed and Triano signed a three-year deal in May 2009.

“This was a difficult decision to make,” Colangelo said. “But after almost three full seasons of observation and evaluation I believe that bringing in a new voice as head coach will accelerate the progress we are looking to make in the coming years.

“I am very pleased that Jay has agreed to stay on and help see through the plan that we have designed and initiated together.”

The Raptors finished 22-60 this season, last in the Atlantic Division.