HoopsHype.com Rumors

Darren Wolfson: The Flip-Rick Adelman pow-wow at Target Center happened today. Lots to discuss heading into Chicago next week/the offseason. #twolves Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Flip Saunders, Rick Adelman 

Flip Saunders has started the restructuring expected when he took over as Minnesota Timberwolves president last week. Saunders fired international scouting coordinator Pete Philo, regional scout Curtis Crawford and Will Conroy on Tuesday. The moves were made as Saunders clears room to get a staff together for next month's draft. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Flip Saunders, Will Conroy, Pete Philo, Curtis Crawford 

Ernest Macia: Ricky Rubio: "I haven't proved anything yet in the NBA" Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio 

Jon krawczynski: #TWolves scouts Pete Philo and Curtis Crawford among those let go today by Saunders. Philo was essentially a de-facto asst GM under Kahn Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Flip Saunders, Pete Philo, Curtis Crawford 

The Timberwolves' relationship with Kevin Love will undoubtedly improve with the ouster of David Kahn, but how will it impact Ricky Rubio? Sources say the Rubio family is disappointed in the decision, largely because Kahn is the one who stuck his neck out and drafted Rubio knowing he couldn't come over right away and did a lot of the legwork to expedite the start of Rubio's NBA career. Maybe it blows over -- Rubio wouldn't be the first player who disagreed with a decision yet eventually put it behind him -- but it bears watching. Sulia

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, David Kahn, Kevin Love 

Would the Cavs go for broke with free agents like Utah center Al Jefferson or Minnesota center Nikola Pekovic? The 6-10, 289-pound Jefferson made $15 million this season. Pekovic, a 6-11, 290-pounder, had a breakthrough year in 2012-13 with 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. He made $4.6 million this season, and could vault up to the $8 million-$10 million range. The Cavs probably won't take on that kind of commitment from either player, even though they desperately need scoring from the post. They might pursue free-agent role players like Matt Barnes or Corey Brewer to round out the roster. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Al Jefferson, Matt Barnes, Nikola Pekovic, Corey Brewer 

In the quiet of the losing locker room, Rivers gathered Garnett and Pierce and told them that they would talk privately sometime soon. The sorrow of the night hung too heavily. Around the NBA, there's belief that the arrival of Flip Saunders as general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves will start the process of Garnett's old coach and franchise eventually offering KG the opportunity to invest in the franchise. Yahoo! Sports

Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett, Flip Saunders 

In 2010 Kahn said he wanted compensation from the Trail Blazers because they traded him Martell Webster with, he said, an improperly disclosed back injury. (Webster has since moved on to play for the Wizards.) ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Martell Webster, David Kahn 

Today, two sources directly involved in the talks tell me that in fact the dispute led to depositions in preparation for a hearing, and those depositions did not go well for the Blazers. As a result, Portland agreed to pay Minnesota $1.5 million -- said to be one of the largest such agreements in league history -- to settle the matter before it reached the hearing stage. The Trail Blazers declined to comment. ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Martell Webster, David Kahn 

Jerry Zgoda: Flip on ESPN job: "You know, it’s interesting. On ESPN, all you have to do is know about five teams. This wasn’t one of the five." Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Flip Saunders 

Restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic's camp isn't upset with David Kahn's dismissal. However, the ultimate call on whether to pay Pekovic $12 million a year on a long-term deal will be Taylor's. That negotiation will be as fascinating as any to follow. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic, David Kahn 

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: Flip said he's heading back to Bristol this weekend for 2 days of ESPN work but expects that will be his last as NBA commentator Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Flip Sanders 

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 

Sources confirm to 1500ESPN.com that, in addition to taking over the front office, former coach Flip Saunders will invest approximately $8 million in the Wolves. Saunders remains close with Wolves' director of operations, Rob Babcock, who's expected to stay on. Look for Saunders to hire his son, Ryan, from Washington. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Owners, Flip Saunders, Ryan Saunders, Rob Babcock 

Sources indicate Taylor was also approached by former Memphis owner Michael Heisley, St. Louis businessman Dr. Richard Chaifetz and a group led by former coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. But none expressed a strong desire to keep the team in Minnesota long-term, sources said. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Mike Dunleavy, Michael Heisley, Owners, Richard Chaifetz 

Sean Deveney: #Timberwolves Flip Saunders on Rick Adelman: "He's our coach. I do expect him to be back." Twitter @SeanDeveney

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Flip Saunders, Rick Adelman 

Saunders said he’s talked to Adelman and he expects him to be back as coach. “I don’t think there are many organizations that can say they have two people associated that have combined for 1,600 wins,” Saunders said. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Flip Saunders, Rick Adelman 

Steve Aschburner: Flip in non-denial denial -- again -- on "Are you done coaching?" FS: "Right now Rick is our coach..." Better firm that up, Wolves. Twitter @AschNBA

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Flip Saunders, Rick Adelman 

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