Possible candidates for the job
Nearly a month after Rick Adelman retired, the Wolves' search for a replacement has included — or could — include these possibilities:
Lionel Hollins
The successful former Memphis coach who couldn't come to terms on a new contract there a year ago interviewed with the Wolves weeks ago, according to a league source, and is in consideration for the Cleveland job, among others. If he is hired, the defensive-minded coach could bring offensive-minded Paul Westphal with him.
Who fits the profile?
Saunders says he wants a "CEO" who has led a team before. He also wants a coach who can nurture young point guard Ricky Rubio, handle the uncertainty of Kevin Love's approaching free agency and improve the team's defense.
Hollins fits that description. So do these former head coaches looking to return to that job:
Scott Skiles
The former NBA point guard who demands defense has coached Phoenix, Chicago and Milwaukee in a 13-year career.
P.J. Carlesimo
Has coached five different NBA teams, most recently a 35-19 interim stint with Brooklyn after he replaced the fired Avery Johnson two seasons ago.
Nate McMillan
The former Seattle and Portland coach now is the top assistant for Eastern Conference finalist Indiana.
Sam Mitchell
The former Wolves forward and 2007 NBA Coach of the Year has a history with Saunders and owner Glen Taylor and was considered for the job in 2011.
Flip Saunders
He insists he won't coach because he has too much work to do as president of basketball operations. But as Saunders also has said before … never say never.
Points elsewhere?
Saunders vowed he'd look in many places, including Europe. One notable name: David Blatt, a former Princeton point guard who has coached there the past 20 years. He has led Maccabi Tel Aviv to Sunday's Euroleague title game and coached Alexey Shved with the 2012 Russian Olympic team.
JERRY ZGODA
