Former NBA coach and current ESPN analyst Flip Saunders is "expected to return" as the T'Wolves President of Basketball Operations, a move that would "end David Kahn's controversial tenure after four seasons," according to Steve Aschburner of NBA.com. Sources said that Saunders' contract could run through the '17-18 season and could be worth more than $9M "over the full five years." T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor and Saunders have been "meeting in recent weeks, with Taylor confirming a report in March that Saunders was representing a group of prospective buyers interested in purchasing the franchise." Taylor has been "seeking a minority investor or investors who eventually could take over majority control of the club" (NBA.com, 4/26). In Minneapolis, Jerry Zgoda wrote given Aschburner's "history with Flip, Taylor and the Wolves for more than a decade" as beat writer for the Star Tribune, and "given NBA.com's obvious ties to the league, no reason to believe it's not true." Especially "when such specifics" as a five-year, $9M contract are mentioned. The report of Kahn's impending departure "follows speculation that has been out there for more than a month, or all the way back to last summer" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 4/26). However, if Kahn's departure "is imminent, it is news to him" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/27). Kahn in a text message wrote, "Glen and I have an understanding that we will meet at an appropriate time to discuss my contractual status, but only after we have clarification on Coach [Rick] Adelman's status and Glen has all the information he needs" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 4/26).
ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION? In St. Paul, Bob Sansevere wrote under the header, "For Timberwolves, Getting Rid Of David Kahn Is A Start." Hiring Saunders would be a "good move if only to get rid of Kahn." Saunders "offers a lot more." All you "really need to know about Kahn" is that the T'Wolves have "lost 134 more games than they've won with him in charge" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 4/27). CBSSPORTS.com's Zach Harper wrote the hiring of Saunders will be "looked at as a weight being lifted off the shoulders of the Wolves' organization" (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/26).
