HoopsHype.com Rumors

If and when Saunders has to hire a head coach, those close to him point to a few names. Among those: Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and Houston assistant J.B. Bickerstaff. That likely won't happen for at least a year, as Taylor told 1500ESPN.com on Tuesday that Adelman's return appears "very favorable." 1500 ESPN

Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Tom Izzo, Owners, Flip Saunders, Glen Taylor, Rick Adelman, JB Bickerstaff 

Jerry Zgoda: Taylor said he had list of 8 candidates, including Phil Jackson, to call about job and his comfort w/ Flip superseded all, never got to list Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Phil Jackson, Owners, Flip Saunders, Glen Taylor 

Eight years after being fired as Timberwolves head coach, Flip Saunders returned to the team Friday morning when he was introduced as the new president for basketball operations. Saunders, 58, replaces David Kahn, who was fired by owner Glen Taylor on Thursday. He received a five-year contract and will also be a limited partner in the team’s ownership group, Taylor said. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Owners, Flip Saunders, Glen Taylor 

Chris Mannix: Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor says "I have made the decision not to sell the team." Says he has offered to buy limited partners out. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Minnesota Timberwolves, Owners, Glen Taylor 

"We want to thank David for all of his efforts the past four years with our basketball team," said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. "These are always difficult decisions, but at this time, we believe it is in the best interest of our organization to make a change. We wish David all the best in the future." NBA.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Owners, Glen Taylor 

Jon Krawczynski: Kahn to AP: "I dont think it's appropriate to say whehter it's fair or not. very grateful for opp that Glen gave me." Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Owners, Glen Taylor 

David Kahn is out as president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Flip Saunders is coming in. Three people with knowledge of the situation tell The Associated Press that team owner Glen Taylor has decided not to pick up the option for next season on Kahn's contract. Taylor is also putting the finishing touches on a deal to hire Saunders as Kahn's replacement. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made. Oklahoman

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Owners, Flip Saunders, Glen Taylor 

As for the future of coach Rick Adelman, Glen Taylor said he doesn't yet what Adelman will do, but it "looks very favorable" for some sort of return. Taylor added that Adelman has kept him well-informed. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Glen Taylor, Rick Adelman 

Wolves owner Glen Taylor said he'll have a major announcement on the ownership front sometime in the next week. When poked and prodded, the only other information he would volunteer was that it's a scenario that would never be guessed. Taylor has had talks with Chris Hansen's Seattle group, but they want to move the Wolves to Seattle, and Taylor said that's not happening. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Owners, Glen Taylor, Chris Hansen 

President of basketball operations David Kahn is scouting in Europe, according to Taylor. Asked if it was OK to make a leap on Kahn's future based on him continuing to work, Taylor said no. When pressed if the NBA.com report about Flip Saunders taking over Kahn's duties was accurate, all Taylor would say is that no decision has been made yet. But in the same breath, Taylor said a decision would come by the end of the month. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Owners, Flip Saunders, Glen Taylor 

The 12 owners on the NBA's relocation/finance committee will make the recommendation on the future of the Kings: • Peter Holt, Spurs (chairman of the board of governors) • Micky Arison, Heat • Clay Bennett, Thunder • Jeanie Buss, Lakers • James Dolan, Knicks • Wyc Grousbeck, Celtics • Ted Leonsis, Wizards • Greg Miller, Jazz • Robert Sarver, Suns • Herb Simon, Pacers • Larry Tanenbaum, Raptors • Glen Taylor, Timberwolves Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, James Dolan, Wyc Grousbeck, Micky Arison, Robert Sarver, Ted Leonsis, Glen Taylor, Jeanie Buss, Greg Miller, Herb Simon, Peter Holt, Clay Bennett 

With speculation on his job status reaching a fever pitch, Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn said Friday night that he has not met with owner Glen Taylor to discuss the team option on his contract for next season. SI.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Owners, Glen Taylor 

Kahn released a statement after NBA.com reported Taylor had decided to fire him and was negotiating with Flip Saunders to be the new president. Kahn said he didn't expect to meet with Taylor until after coach Rick Adelman informs the team about his plans for next season. Adelman is currently mulling returning or retiring to be with his wife Mary Kay, who suffered from seizures earlier in the season. SI.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, David Kahn, Owners, Flip Saunders, Glen Taylor, Rick Adelman 

David Kahn just sent me a text after I called him seeking comment on today's NBA.com report that Glen Taylor is negotiating a five-year deal with Flip Saunders to replace Kahn as president of basketball operations. This is what the text said: "First, I wake up every day knowing it's a privilege to have this job, and not a right. Speculation about our jobs is part of this business, especially when you strip the emotion out of it. Speculation is especially understandable now, as we have a deep and talented team, with several cornerstone players, and will be poised for big success once it regains its health. "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 Adelman's status and Glen has all the information he needs. It is no different than when we make decisions on players who have options. We wait for the process to unfold. In the meantime, Glen and I have been having conversations about the staff, free agency and other plans. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Flip Saunders, Glen Taylor 

Darren Wolfson: One person with some knowledge hypothesizes that Taylor must be closer to selling the team, maybe to that Flip-represented group. #twolves Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Minnesota Timberwolves, Flip Saunders, Glen Taylor 

Kahn's contract expires at the conclusion of the NBA Finals in June, wrapping up four losing seasons with the Wolves. The team went 31-51 this season. Kahn said he's "under the impression" he will be back for a fifth season, but Wolves owner Glen Taylor told the Pioneer Press last week that he "hasn't come to the time to make a decision" on Kahn. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Glen Taylor 

Who’s going to own this team? Short answer: Taylor, right, for the foreseeable future. He hoped to complete a sale before the season started but hasn’t found the right buyer — someone from Minnesota or with Minnesota ties — who promises to keep the team here. So he intends to keep the team for now and seek a solution for limited partners who want out. “I still love being involved with the team, I enjoy it,” he said. “And this is not a good year to go out.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Glen Taylor 

PP: Are you expecting a tough negotiation with Pekovic, who could command as much as $14 million a year in the free agent market? Glen Taylor: I want him to stay, and he has told me he wants to stay. It's to our advantage to try and work something out with him. We know and he knows he's able to test the market. When he tells me he wants to stay, I take him for his word, but agents play a big role in all of this. PP: Will you personally get involved in Pekovic's negotiations if necessary? GT: It's not the way we would start out, but if it means getting a quicker and fairer deal done, I would. This is a very important deal for us. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic, Glen Taylor 

PP: Are you concerned with skeptics who feel Roy should not have been signed? He has not played since Nov. 9. Glen Taylor: It's fair criticism ... for me and David. We did take a risk, and it was proven to be a wrong risk. There were other players out there with some experience who we could have gotten, who would have helped us at a position (shooting guard) where we needed help. We're out of the money this year (approximately $5 million), but based on the contract we have, we don't have to pay him next year if he doesn't play. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Brandon Roy, Glen Taylor 

PP: Do you want the team's medical and training staff to monitor Love's offseason workout program more closely to make sure he's healthy next season? GT: I'm not worried about Kevin. He has told me, 'I'm going to be in as good a shape and fit as I've ever been.' He has talked to our people about what he's going to do in the offseason. It sounds aggressive and stimulating. He's taking the leadership on that. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Kevin Love, Glen Taylor