The American's surprise dismissal by TBL contenders Banvitspor has left his future uncertain.

It is unlikely he will guide the Tall Blacks through to another World, Olympic or Commonwealth campaign, and has put forward long-time assistant Nenad Vucinic as his likely successor.

Baldwin told the stuff.co.nz website: "I'm still up in the air about my immediate future. My contract runs through until the end of 2006 and I'll honour my contract. I suspect that after the world championship Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) will sit down with me and we'll discuss the future.

"I always want a future with Basketball New Zealand irrespective of whether it's the national coach or whether it's a coach developing other coaches or developing younger players. I always want a role.

"This country gave me the opportunity to become a good basketball coach and I'll forever be indebted to them for that."

"It's not so much about players hearing my voice these days as it used to be. We have some tremendous internal leadership from a core group of players, and the message they espouse is the one I've been pushing for many, many years.

"Also I have the best basketball coach in New Zealand in Nenad Vucinic. He's a great teacher, a great analyst.

"It's not so much about me saying this or that or projecting myself into the mix.

"I just try and keep the players on the right pathway and they'll play their hearts out for the country."

Acting Basketball NZ CEO Barry Wilson said: "We sort of had the feeling after Tab's contract in Turkey fell through that he was looking for new pastures after his (BBNZ) contract period.

"He's having a rethink, reassessing the whole situation. We would have our limitations. We don't have an endless pot of money."
Baldwin said he felt upset by the manner of his departure, but hailed the experience as his 'greatest coaching experience'.

"I would go so far to say when I first heard the news on the internet, which I don't think is a good way to hear, I was devastated because I had my heart set on going back there.

"It was the greatest coaching experience over a long duration in my life. I learned throughout the full season many, many things from a knowledge standpoint I'm able to implement with the (Tall Blacks) team now.

"I had a great contract in my hand financially, but there was an element of the contract that was unacceptable."

Baldwin leads the Tall Blacks to face old enemies Australia in Melbourne on Wednesday 19 July.

Article courtesy of www.fiba.com