Wolves President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders said he will conduct an "extensive" search for a new coach who has a proven "track record" and can bring the team an offensive identity like the just-retired Rick Adelman did. Here's a list of possibilities:
The favorite
Flip Saunders
He has refused at every turn to rule himself out. That says a lot right there. Owner Glen Taylor said he thinks each job deserves its own master and doesn't want Saunders coaching, too. At least he says that now. Saunders could sell his relationship with Kevin Love this season as the best chance the franchise has to keep its superstar long-term.
The Flip connection
Saunders is fast friends with two coaching candidates in particular:
Tom Izzo
He consulted with Saunders on last summer's draft, but why would Izzo leave all he has built at Michigan State for this?
Jeff Van Gundy
He's another pal who hasn't coached since 2007 and has a good television-analyst gig. He avoided answering when asked last week during a conference call if he has any interest in the job.
Proven commodities
George Karl
The Wolves could replace a 1,000-game winner with one of only seven other men who have done so. The best quick-fix solution, but his agent last week indicated his client isn't interested in such a rebuilding job.
Lionel Hollins
If the Wolves need to add toughness — and both Saunders and Adelman listed that Monday as a big need — nobody would add more than the defensive-minded Hollins. He might strangle half of this offensive-minded roster, however.
