HoopsHype.com Rumors

New Minnesota Timberwolves president Flip Saunders is quietly doing background checks on potential GM candidates, but isn't planning to make a hire until after the draft, according to sources. Coach Rick Adelman has told Saunders he wants to coach the Timberwolves next season, so don't expect to see a coaching change. As far as personnel, Saunders is hoping to add shooters to the Timberwolves' roster to maximize the passing ability of Ricky Rubio. ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Flip Saunders, Rick Adelman 

There has been speculation that Kevin Love will opt-out of his contract in 2015 because the Minnesota Timberwolves forward isn't happy with the organization and how it treated him when it gave him a four-year, $62 million deal instead of the five-year, $80 million maximum designation in 2012. But Flip Saunders, the Wolves' new president of basketball operations, told 1500 ESPN on Tuesday that he has talked to Love and doesn't think there needs to be any repair between the organization and the player. "I don't think so," Saunders said. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Love, Flip Saunders, Rick Adelman 

Darren Wolfson: Per Flip (just had him on @1500ESPN), he still has every reason to think Adelman will be back. Wife Mary Kay doing very well. #twolves Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Flip Saunders, Rick Adelman 

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 

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 

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 

Has anything been decided with Rick yet? David Kahn: Not to my knowledge, no. And I think it’s a little premature still. I think people are positioning it as a decision. There’s no doubt in my mind that Rick Adelman wants to come back, hopes to come back and we’re all optimistic he will come back. We’re all similarly hopeful that his wife does not have another medical emergency that would prevent him from doing so. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, David Kahn, Rick Adelman 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

Adelman said before Monday’s home finale against Utah that he hopes to decide his future in the few weeks after the season ends Wednesday night in San Antonio, and after he and his wife, Mary Kay, meet with more doctors about how to prevent her seizures. “I think there are questions,” Budinger said when asked if he thinks Adelman will return. “He has always been family first and, with his wife it’s going to be family first. But knowing him, he loves to coach. He loves this team. So it’s a tough decision for him to leave.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Chase Budinger, Rick Adelman 

"Last year was very difficult because I hadn't really experienced something like that, where the guys just kind of cashed in," Adelman said. "This group is not like that. This group is really fun to be around. If one thing has been great, it's their attitude. Even when they've had the injuries, they've kept coming and playing, and the coaches haven't given in at all. I think that's made it a very good situation." Fox Sports North

Minnesota Timberwolves, Rick Adelman 

The Wolves finish their season Wednesday. Sometime soon after that, Adelman and his wife, Mary Kay, will consult with doctors about her seizures that caused Adelman to miss 11 games in January. And sometime soon after that, he said he hopes to determine whether he will return to coach his third season for the Wolves. “It’s just a process you’ve got to go through,” he said. “Everybody says you have to have patience with it. I certainly don’t want to hang out for months or something like that. That’s just not fair. I just don’t think it’s realistic, though, to just talk about that this is what’s going to happen. I think it will take care of itself in the next couple weeks.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Rick Adelman 

Ray Richardson: Adelman said he hopes to know more about wife's health (seizure attacks) in a 'couple of weeks' to determine if he'll return next season. Twitter @Twolvesnow

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Rick Adelman 

With Brandon Roy not expected to return next season, Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said finding a "quality" shooting guard will be one of the team's top offseason priorities. "That's something we'll really have to look around for," Adelman said before the team's game against Phoenix on Saturday night, April 13, at Target Center. "It's too hard to play point guards at that spot. Luke (Ridnour) is overmatched all the time playing bigger two-guards.We have to find a way to get more size there." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Brandon Roy, Rick Adelman