HoopsHype.com Rumors

Former NBA head coach Flip Saunders is expected to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves as the team’s next president of basketball operations, NBA.com has learned. NBA.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Flip Saunders 

Saunders, 58, has been negotiating a contract that, with option years, could run through the 2017-18 season and could be worth more than $9 million over the full five years, according to league sources who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the hiring. NBA.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Flip Saunders 

The move, which could become official as soon as next week, would end David Kahn‘s controversial tenure after four seasons and an 89-223 record during which the Timberwolves’ failure to reach the playoffs stretched to nine consecutive seasons. Kahn’s contract includes a team option for 2013-14 that will not be exercised. NBA.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Flip Saunders 

Sources close to Saunders say that, since exiting the Wizards job, he is comfortable with the prospect of a front- office job rather than a future coaching position. Despite his firing in Minnesota in 2005, Saunders and Taylor have maintained a good relationship. NBA.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Flip Saunders 

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 

How badly do the Bulls want Love?: He has been on their radar for awhile. Like many teams, the Bulls would love to have him. He would serve as one half of a rebounding twin towers next to Joakim Noah. He can also shoot the three and would figure to work well with Noah since both can see the floor very well. Love would seemingly also fit in well to the Bulls locker room seeing that he has trained in the past with Rose and the two have always spoken highly of one another. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Kevin Love 

Plans for next season? Nikola Pekovic: "I am now without a contract. I said I'd love to stay in Minneapolis, but it does not depend on me. It's still early, the season is not over, so it's early to enter negotiations, but there will be interest." Mondo

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic 

Would a good financial offer make you return to Europe? Nikola Pekovic: "No, certainly not." Mondo

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic 

Speaking of Phoenix, some executives believe former Suns assistant Elston Turner will join Rick Adelman's coaching staff in Minnesota, with the understanding being that if Adelman steps down, Turner will take over as head coach. Turner, one of the league's most respected assistants, has worked much of his career with Adelman and the two are very close. ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Rick Adelman, Elston Turner 

Steve Kyler: What you want to do and what you can do are often two entirely different an unrelated things. The Blazers want to add some veteran guys that can defend… to me that is Nikola Peckovic or Javale McGee in terms of possibly obtainable. HoopsWorld

Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Javale McGee, Nikola Pekovic 

On August 4 2009, the day in which FC Bacelona made an offer to Joventut Badalona for Ricky Rubio, detectives from Metodo 3 agency spied on Rubio's family. During those weeks, Rubio was deciding whether to stay in Barcelona, go to another Spanish club like Real Madrid or Unicaja or jump to the NBA. El Periodico

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, FC Barcelona, Spain 

"We checked Mr. Rubio was at his home and we checked both the front door and the parking and common areas," said the detective. El Periodico

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, FC Barcelona, Spain 

Pro basketballer J.J. Barea and former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera confirmed Friday their separation after two years together. GlobalPost

Minnesota Timberwolves, J.J. Barea 

"I understand that my private life should belong to me alone, but seeing the insinuations that have appeared in the media that are not true, I decided to deal with the situation and speak openly about it. Zuleyka and I have not been together for some time," Barea said. GlobalPost

Minnesota Timberwolves, JJ Barea 

Kahn hopes to re-sign center Nikola Pekovic and forward Chase Budinger, both of whom become free agents on July 1, and persuade Andrei Kirilenko to return for the second year of his two-year contract. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic, Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger 

Taylor indicated he wants to know Adelman's status for next season before deciding on Kahn. Adelman told reporters before the Wolves' final home game Monday, April 15, that he might announce his plans "in a couple of weeks," depending on medical reports regarding his wife, Mary Kay, who is being treated for seizures. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Rick Adelman 

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 

Darren Wolfson: No idea if it means anything for his future, but Kahn conducted all of the player exit interviews. Did them before last home game. #twolves Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn 

Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger wants to return to the team next season if an agreement can be reached this summer, but as with any contractual agreement, there’s a bit of fine print. That is, if Rick Adelman returns to coach. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Chase Budinger, Rick Adelman 

“I would like to come back,” he said. “I like the organization. I like the staff. I love Adelman.” He saved the most important part for last there. “That’s a big part of it,” he said about the coach who taught a second-round draft pick in 2009 the NBA game. “Our relationship, he knows how I play. I work well in his system. It’s [Adelman’s decision] going to weigh big.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Chase Budinger, Rick Adelman