NBA Rumors: Kevin Love scared head coaches away from Timberwolves
By Josh Hill
The Minnesota Timberwolves hired Flip Saunders today to become the team’s new head coach for the second time in his career. But while the position of head coach has been filled, there are still many wondering just how close the Wolves were to going in a different direction and hiring someone else.
More from Minnesota Timberwolves
- NBA Rumors: When to expect Karl-Anthony Towns trade talks to heat up
- NBA rumors: Karl-Anthony Towns trade talks will heat up in February
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
- NBA rumors: 4 teams not named Heat or Nets engaged on Damian Lillard trade
- 2023 NBA Free Agency: 5 underrated deals that could shift NBA landscape
As it turns out, Flip Saunders wasn’t out from the start to assume the role of head coach, as he reached out to numerous college coaches he thought were interested in the job. For the most part, Saunders was indeed getting interest from the likes of Tom Izzo and others, but one major factor played a role in their not wanting to come to Minnesota.
According to Steve Aschburner of NBA.com, the reason the Timberwolves had such a hard time hiring a new coach was indeed because Kevin Love’s situation is so uncertain that no one really wanted to get involved with it.
"College prospects Tom Izzo of Michigan State (a close Saunders friend), Fred Hoiberg of Iowa State and Billy Donovan of Florida had reservations of their own, the coaches uncertain of the Wolves’ direction (Love? No Love?)."
Minnesota really should have seen this coming and it’s their own fault. The sheer neglect to get better over the years has not only driven fans away but it’s costing the team another superstar. In addition to that, it’s costing the Wolves a chance find a proper head coach.
All of this might have been avoided if the Wolves had given Love a max contract when they could have, and that’s why literally no one is feeling sorry for them now that everything is being washed away yet again.