By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

OAKLAND — The Warriors might not want Chris Mullin as their executive vice president past this season, but they’re all for keeping Don Nelson around.

Nelson confirmed Saturday that he and the team are close to a two-year extension that would keep him on the Warriors’ bench through the 2010-11 season.

A source close to the team said the sides are talking about a total of approximately $12 million in compensation; Nelson said his annual salary would drop slightly from its current $5.1 million, but that he would get “a little raise” when deferred monies, set to kick in after 2011, are factored in.

Unlike last summer, when Nelson drove a contentious renegotiation that dragged out for months, the team came to the 68-year-old and proactively asked him to extend his second tour of duty in Oakland.

“It wasn’t my idea,” Nelson said. “It was fine with me to wait or go year-to-year, but they came to me and wanted me to commit to (a total of) three years. I’m pretty excited about it, and it’s quite an honor really, to be wanted. At my age, you’re lucky if anybody wants you.”

John O’Connor, Nelson’s lawyer, confirmed that he met Wednesday morning for two hours with team president Robert Rowell and described the outcome as “very positive and productive.”

If the deal goes through and Nelson doesn’t retire early, it will all but assure that he’ll pass Lenny Wilkens as the NBA’s winningest all-time coach. Nelson currently has 1,280 victories, 52 behind Wilkens, and is unlikely to surpass that total this season.

Nelson said the extension contains no language regarding his taking over roster-management duties, an important point given that Mullin’s contract as head of the franchise’s basketball operations ends at the conclusion of this season — and there appears to be zero dialogue between the two sides.

“I’m not interested in general manager or coach and general manager or anything else,” said Nelson, who has previously served as head of basketball operations for Golden State and Dallas. “I’m supporting Mully the whole way. I hope he gets his deal done as well. I love working with Mully. I am a coach, period. . . .

“I can’t do it (be coach and GM) anymore. I got enough trouble coaching the team. Won’t happen, didn’t happen, not interested, period. Hope that puts out all your fires.”

Nelson, who came back to the Warriors’ bench in August 2006 at Mullin’s behest, has tried assiduously to avoid getting involved in what appears to be a widening front-office power struggle between the former five-time All-Star and Rowell.

“I don’t want to get involved because that’s all speculation,” Nelson said. “I’m going to give my opinion when it’s asked.”

Nelson couldn’t swear he would serve out the deal, but didn’t sound like a man who will be rushing off to Maui for good any time soon.

“I just don’t think that retirement is all it’s caught up to be,” said Nelson, who has taken stock of his life after the recent death of a few close friends. “My philosophy’s changed. Now I better bop ‘til I drop.”

NOTES: Point guard C.J. Watson (sprained right elbow, torn right elbow ligament) has been fitted with a large brace extending from above his elbow to his wrist, and worked individually Saturday with Mark Grabow, the team’s director of athletic development. The brace helps keep the torn ligament, which is located on the inside of his elbow, locked into place so it will heal properly without requiring surgery and lessens the pain when Watson dribbles or shoots. “I think I’m ready to play now, but they won’t let me play,” Watson said. “It’s just a precaution.” . . . Swingman Corey Maggette (strained right hamstring) also worked individually with Grabow. . . . Forward Brandan Wright rode a stationary bike after suffering what was described as a mild sprain of his left ankle during Friday’s youngsters-only practice. . . . Rookie forward Anthony Randolph was absent, said to be suffering from the flu.