The Wizards have contacted the agent for Rick Carlisle and could meet with the recently fired Detroit Pistons coach this weekend or early next week about Washington's coaching vacancy, according to Warren LaGarie, Carlisle's agent.

Wizards President Susan O'Malley contacted LaGarie yesterday and asked if Carlisle would be interested in the Wizards' job, to which she was told he would.

LaGarie described the conversation regarding the Wizards' job as preliminary because Washington still plans on hiring a president of basketball operations before it hires a coach, the agent said.

The Wizards fired Doug Collins as coach on Friday after two seasons.

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Ernie Grunfeld was initially denied permission to speak to Washington about the executive position by team owner Herb Kohl. Kohl, however, might allow Grunfeld to speak to the Wizards if compensation could be arranged. The type of compensation likely would be monetary or come in the form of a late-round draft pick.