NBA Rumors: Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy to meet with Timberwolves

Minnesota has reportedly identified its top two candidates to take over as coach and president of the team.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have scheduled meetings with Tom Thibodeau and Jeff Van Gundy, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. Thibodeau and Van Gundy are the top two targets to fill the team’s head coaching and president of basketball operations vacancies.

Owner Glen Taylor and executive search firm Korn Ferry will be included in the interviews, which are expected to occur within the next few days, according to the report.

Thibodeau did not coach this season after being fired by the Chicago Bulls following the 2015 playoffs. In five seasons with the Bulls, Thibodeau compiled a 255-139 record and guided the team to the playoffs each season.

Van Gundy last coached with the Houston Rockets from 2003-07. He was fired after the team’s first-round postseason elimination in 2007 and, in the time since, has become a regular television broadcaster for ESPN. He has a career 430-318 record and guided the New York Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals.

The Timberwolves relieved interim coach Sam Mitchell of his duties following Wednesday’s season finale. Mitchell, a former Coach of the Year Award winner, guided the team to a 29-53 season after taking over for ailing coach Flip Saunders in September, but is no longer being considered for a return to the franchise, according to Wojnarowski’s report. Saunders died in October after a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Minnesota has missed the playoffs for 12 consecutive seasons, the longest active postseason drought in the league, but boasts an inviting young nucleus of likely Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns, reigning Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins and highlight-reel sensation Zach LaVine.

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