Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Timberwolves' draft pick Ricky Rubio reportedly will stay in Spain for two years

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July 2

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft pick, Ricky Rubio, 18, will remain in Spain to play for his DKV Joventut basketball team for the remaining two years of his contract rather than try to move to the NBA this season, El Periodico reported today. The Barcelona newspaper also says Rubio, who was paid $97,000 last season, plans to withdraw his contract lawsuit against DKV Joventut."

Wolves to interview Williams

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July 2

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves' coaching search has its first confirmed candidate. Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams told The Oregonian on Wednesday that he will interview for the position, perhaps as early as this weekend. "I'm flattered," Williams said. "I'm someone who wants to be a part of a rebuilding process. But at the same time, I'm still a Blazer. So there's initial excitement, but in reality, nothing has changed. I'm looking forward to the process." Williams, 37, has been an assistant in Portland for the past four seasons and is widely credited with the development of Travis Outlaw and Nicolas Batum. Williams played 10 seasons as a forward for the New York Knicks and San ..."

After busy draft, Minnesota Timberwolves expect to cool it during free agency

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July 1

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"With the salary cap projected to stay about $58.7 million and teams saving their money for 2010, the NBA's free-agency period is expected to be a relatively low-key affair this summer, and the Timberwolves are no exception. They still have some holes to fill after last week's draft, but the Wolves aren't looking to be busy shoppers in free agency, which began at 11:01 p.m. CDT Tuesday. "I think it's secondary, just looking at the players that are out there and available," Wolves owner Glen Taylor said. "To me, we also have to look at trades to get the balance on our team that we need. We've got Ryan (Gomes) at the three position, but I don't think we have a backup there yet. You've either ..."

Rubio puzzle a taxing, twisted mess

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June 29

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Ricky Rubio situation is becoming mind-numbingly complicated. It's like peeling back an onion and finding layer upon layer of difficulty. Here's a little subplot going on overseas: The unemployment rate in Spain sits at 17 percent. Times are tough. In fact, Rubio's team, DKV Joventut, asked the Spanish version of the Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda) for permission to postpone a tax payment. In order to do that, the team had to put up collateral. Among that collateral was Rubio's contract. This is where it gets a bit unclear. The Spanish News Agency, EFE, reported June 10 that Rubio's contract was "sold" to Hacienda and that Rubio had filed a lawsuit because he hadn't been notified ..."

Where will Ricky play?

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June 29

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Ricky Rubio soap opera is just a few days into what could be a long summer run, but the Spanish point guard's options for this season aren't that complicated. In no particular order, they are: 1. Play for the Timberwolves. 2. Play for another NBA team that can work out a trade. 3. Return to Europe. At this early stage, it's impossible to say which it will be, or how and when it might end. Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn had no comment Sunday on a Pioneer Press report that Rubio and his father flew to Minneapolis the day before to discuss his NBA future. Kahn has said the Wolves would be willing to wait a year or even two for Rubio, if necessary, after making him ..."

Rubio Receives Overseas Offers

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June 28

New York Post

"A representative for Ricky Rubio's agency in Spain told The Post yesterday the 18-year-old flamboyant point-guard phenom is receiving offers this weekend to play for a club in Turkey and Real Madrid, which would decrease the likelihood of him playing in the NBA next season. Meanwhile, Knicks team president Donnie Walsh spoke to Timberwolves general manager David Kahn yesterday. According to a source, Kahn's being patient and is not interested in talking trade yet and is "trying to keep him." Tim Shea, the former Knicks European scout who is a consultant for Rubio's agency, Winners Factory, said he expects a formal offer from a Turkish club tomorrow. The offer would be about $1 million, ..."

Walsh says Knicks will reach out to Minnesota about Ricky Rubio

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June 27

New York Daily News

"The Knicks aren't giving up on Ricky Rubio just yet. Friday, team president Donnie Walsh contacted his one-time protÃ©gÃ©, Timberwolves GM David Kahn, after Rubio's father told a Spanish news agency that his 18-year-old son may opt to remain in Europe for one or possibly two more years. Rubio has not said publicly that he won't play for Minnesota, but on the day after the Spanish point guard was selected with the fifth pick in the NBA draft, there is a growing sense that Rubio wants to be traded, preferably to the Knicks. On Wednesday, Rubio joked that his mother is worried about him living in a cold-weather city. A person close to the family said Friday that the Rubio clan "doesn't even ..."

Knicks Hope To Pry Rubio From Wolves

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June 27

New York Post

"The Ricky Rubio sweepstakes is back on! Knicks president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he's calling Timberwolves general manager David Kahn to see if the Spanish point guard phenom can be had after Rubio's father told a Spanish Web site that Rubio likely will stay in Spain for the next two seasons instead of paying off a buyout. In another sign he wants nothing to do with Minnesota, Rubio, an 18-year-old, 6-foot-5 showman, was not at yesterday's introductory press conference in Minneapolis, preferring to relax in New York -- a good omen for Knicks fans. Kahn said he didn't ask him to attend. A Minnesota official said there's no timetable for Rubio to report. The T'wolves picked Rubio at No. ..."

Knicks Will Check On Rubio

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June 26

New York Post

"Knicks president Donnie Walsh said today he will call the Timberwolves to inquire about Rickey Rubio's availability in the wake of his father threatening the point-guard phenom would play in Spain the next two years. Walsh and Wolves GM David Kahn are friends, with Kahn having worked for Walsh in Indiana. "I haven't spoken to Minnesota; I will," Walsh said at the press conference to introduce draft picks Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas. "He (Kahn) took a lot of point guards. I want to ask him why he did that. I just want to find that out. "He (Rubio) was one of (our) top players," Walsh added. "I would never say never to anything. We're in the offseason. We'll be checking everything out." ..."

Minnesota's Plans

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June 25

SI.com

(scroll down)

"By acquiring more picks than any other NBA rival heading into Thursday night's talent fair -- four first-rounders and two second-rounders -- the Timberwolves just might be able to stumble into success in spite of their dreary draft history. And really, no one could blame David Kahn, the team's new president, if he had surveyed all he inherited when hired last month -- a 24-victory team, a roster with significant holes and overlaps, a five-year skid out of the playoffs -- and decided, like Roy Scheider in his most famous movie moment, "You're gonna need a bigger boat." So Kahn got the Wolves a bigger boat, acquiring the No. 5 pick to go with the Nos. 6, 18 and 28 that Minnesota already ..."

Kahn won't trade 5 and 6 for 2

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June 25

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Highlights from David Kahn's Wednesday news conference confirming Tuesday's trade that sends Randy Foye and Mike Miller to Washington for tonight's fifth pick and front-court players Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov: • He said he definitely will not trade the fifth and sixth picks for Memphis' No. 2. "I want to be really clear on this," he said. "We will not do that under no circumstances." • He said he's not selling the 28th pick to New York for $3 million. For now. He called it one of many options and offers and indicated many teams have called offering the maximum $3 million for a pick. • He said he has talked trade with Memphis the past several days. Asked if Glen ..."

Draft and Trade Buzz

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June 24

Yahoo! Sports

"As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare to make a push for Memphis' pick at No. 2, it's become clear that they won't package the fifth and sixth picks to get there. The Wolves have made it clear to teams that are trying to pry their 18th pick that it isn't available. They want to use that in combination with one of the two higher picks to make a deal with Memphis. … The Utah Jazz are enamored with University of Pittsburgh tough guy Sam Young at No. 20, who is a perfect fit for head coach Jerry Sloan. … Golden State has long been enamored with Brandon Jennings at No. 7, but league sources say the Warriors are considering Wake Forest forward James Johnson there as well. Few teams would have ..."

Deal heats up race for Ricky Rubio

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June 24

The Oklahoman

"Just when it seemed the Thunder had become serious about going all in for Ricky Rubio on Tuesday afternoon, Oklahoma City appeared to lose ground in the race for the Spanish point guard sensation by Tuesday evening. The Washington Wizards have reportedly agreed to trade the fifth overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft and three players to Minnesota in exchange for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. It's a deal that would give Minnesota four first-round picks - Nos. 5, 6, 18 and 28 - or enough to entice Memphis at No. 2 to trade down and allow the Wolves toRubio.The deal, which was first reported by Yahoo! Sports, came just hours after The Oklahoman confirmed a Yahoo! Sports report that the Thunder ..."

Kahn the dealer strikes early

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June 24

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"New Timberwolves basketball boss David Kahn promised he'd be hyperactive in his efforts to rebuild a franchise that can't sell a $5 ticket since it traded away superstar Kevin Garnett two summers ago. Who knew he had been guzzling Red Bull? Kahn today is expected to finalize his first trade since he became the team's new president of basketball operations 32 days ago. The bold six-piece transaction that sends Mike Miller and Randy Foye to Washington for the fifth pick in Thursday's NBA draft begs a question: With the hours quickly ticking away, just who is he after in a draft some NBA executives have called the thinnest they've seen in years? Kahn's opening move essentially wipes clean the ..."

Wizards snag Foye, Miller

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June 24

Washington Times

"The Washington Wizards agreed in principle Tuesday night to send the No. 5 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, center Etan Thomas and forwards Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov to the Minnesota Timberwolves for guard Randy Foye and veteran swingman Mike Miller, multiple league sources told The Washington Times. The deal is expected to be finalized Wednesday morning after Thomas, who is due a $1.2 million trade bonus, signs an agreement that he won't opt out of his contract - which runs through the 2009-10 season - on July 1 and pursue free agency. Foye, a three-year veteran, started 61 games last season and averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists, while Miller has averaged 13.9 points, 5.0 ..."

Cleanup Starts By Throwing Out The Leftovers

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June 24

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"Seeing how the trade is, oh, three minutes old and not yet consummated, let's take stock of what Ernie "Small Ball" Grunfeld hath wrought anyway: Washington's pro basketball team gets two scoring swingmen who like to have the ball in their hands, and gives up a onetime starting center, a banging veteran forward, a young 7-footer and the fifth pick in tomorrow's NBA draft. Hey, at least Brendan Haywood will never have to worry about his minutes in the pivot being cut again. In an apparent ongoing attempt to run, gun and mirror the pre-Shaq Suns, Grunfeld, the Wizards' president, dealt away that depressing No. 5 selection and three contracts to Minnesota for Mike Miller, Mr. Outside, and ..."

Wizards Make Their Move

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June 24

Washington Post

"The Washington Wizards' infatuation with Minnesota continues. The Wizards agreed in principle last night to a deal that would send the No. 5 overall pick, Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for forward Mike Miller and guard Randy Foye, two league sources said. The Wizards had been open to dealing the pick from the moment they slipped to the fifth pick in the draft lottery. Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards' president of basketball operations, was considering several offers and had spoken with more than a dozen teams, but he jumped on the offer from Minnesota two days before tomorrow's NBA draft. The sources spoke on the condition of ..."

DeRozan workout scratched; Ellington due Tuesday

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June 22

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Southern California guard/forward DeMar DeRozan has been scratched from this morning's scheduled pre-draft workout with the Timberwolves because of illness. It will be rescheduled for later this week. DeRozan, a candidate to be taken by the Wolves with the sixth overall selection in Thursday's NBA draft, reportedly became ill after working out Sunday for the Memphis Grizzlies. The Wolves, who own three first-round picks, won't have any players in today. A group of late first- and second-round prospects, led by North Carolina guard Wayne Ellington, is scheduled to work out Tuesday morning."

New Wolves boss Kahn's credo: Anything goes

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June 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"In his first month on the job, new Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn through his blunt words and first defining action has left the franchise's dwindling, downtrodden fan base intrigued and its players truly atwitter. Buckle up. You ain't seen nothing yet. Kahn pointed the team in a different direction by sending away Kevin McHale, presumably because he concluded the Hall of Fame player and the franchise's architect for the past 14 years cast just too long a shadow. He has pointedly told season-ticket holders and media members alike that Al Jefferson -- the prized centerpiece of McHale's rebuilding attempt -- is the second-best player on an NBA title contender and ..."

Guards sized up by Wolves, each other

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June 20

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Jeff Teague brought up the discussion first. He asked the five other guards where they thought they would be taken in Thursday's NBA draft. The conversation lasted for a few minutes before the Minnesota Timberwolves held their 10th pre-draft workout at the Target Center on Friday. This session was different in that all six participants were guards who could find their way to Minnesota next fall. The Timberwolves, with three first-round picks, are in need of a point guard. David Kahn, the Wolves president of basketball operations, said he knows this year's draft is full of guards that could help the team. So here was Teague, the former Wake Forest point guard, showing guys such as Memphis' ..."

Timberwolves boss denies TV analyst Mark Jackson chosen to be coach

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June 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Read David Kahn's lips. The Timberwolves haven't settled on a coach, and they aren't shopping center Al Jefferson. Kahn, the team's president of basketball operations, was in full denial mode Friday, shooting down a report that ESPN/ABC analyst Mark Jackson is his pick to be the Wolves' next coach. "There's no truth to it," Kahn said. "It's a little bit like the Al Jefferson thing. I guess this is, again I've fallen into my editorial comment of the day. I remember in the old days when you actually would get a call from somebody for a confirmation or denial. These days you don't even get that. It's just a different world." Pro Basketball News, citing multiple unidentified sources, reported ..."

Memphis freshman Tyreke Evans exudes confidence at Minnesota Timberwolves workout

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June 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The plan was for Tyreke Evans to go through just an individual workout Friday afternoon with the Timberwolves. Instead, the Memphis freshman joined five other first-round point guard prospects in a star-studded morning session. "I just wanted to let people know that I'm not running from nobody," Evans said. "I'm willing to work hard against the top people in the draft." A prime candidate to go to the Wolves with the sixth overall selection in Thursday's NBA draft, Evans and UCLA's Jrue Holiday were the highest-rated prospects in a group that also included Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, Brandon Jennings of Italy, North Carolina's Ty Lawson and Wake Forest's Jeff Teague. Depending on teams' ..."

Jefferson staying put with Wolves

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June 18

Boston Globe

"An NBA source said today that Minnesota forward-center Al Jefferson is not being traded to the Suns with the sixth overall pick for Suns All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire. An NBA executive told The Globe on Wednesday that both teams were discussing the trade. But another source said today that the Suns made the trade offer to the Wolves recently and were turned down. The source added that the Wolves new general manager David Kahn has even called Jefferson, an ex-Celtic, to tell him the trade would not happen. As for Stoudemire, the cost-cutting Suns definitely seem interesting in moving him and his hefty salary."

Jefferson on move again?

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June 18

Boston Globe

"An NBA executive told the Boston Globe today that the Minnesota Timberwolves is working a deal with the Phoenix Suns that would send former Celtics forward Al Jefferson and their sixth pick in next week's NBA Draft for All-Star Amare Stoudemire. The Suns, which have dangled Stoudemire for some time, fiound a suitor in Minnesota that is in transition. The team announced today that coach Kevin McHale has ended his 15-year association with the team. New basketball of operations David Kahn is looking to take the franchise into another direction."

Kevin McHale leaves legacy of flops

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June 18

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Bad trades and questionable draft choices. Fair or not, that will be Kevin McHale's legacy with the Timberwolves. For all the kind words tossed his way Wednesday, on the occasion of his departure from the organization he had served since 1993, McHale will be remembered more for the draft-day trades of Ray Allen for Stephon Marbury in 1996 and Brandon Roy for Randy Foye in 2006. Like the first-round selections of William Avery in 1999, Ndudi Ebi in 2003 and Rashad McCants in 2005 and the secret 1998 deal to sign free agent Joe Smith that cost the Wolves three of their next five No. 1 picks, McHale's failures ultimately outweighed his accomplishments. In the end, that turned a popular ..."

Wolves looking for a Kevin McHale-type coach

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June 18

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The search isn't scheduled to begin until after the June 25 NBA draft, but what the Timberwolves are looking for in their next coach sounds a lot like the one they just let go. In announcing Kevin McHale's departure Wednesday, Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn said he has told the players that he wants to maintain the same kind of positive atmosphere that McHale instilled during a 10-4 January this past season. "I've assured them that I understand that and that that positive nature needs to be continued," Kahn said. "So I think that whoever the person is needs to understand that we probably will be a young team and we probably will be a team that is in transition and ..."

Kevin Love tweets, leaks McHale departure to Minnesota Timberwolves players

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June 18

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves center Al Jefferson said he was "shocked, disappointed (and) hurt" when he heard that Kevin McHale wouldn't be returning as coach next season. That rookie forward Kevin Love broke the news on Twitter merely left Jefferson confused. "That's something I just still don't understand," he said. "I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet, but I really believe everybody ought to let him know that was a bad mistake." In an update posted early Wednesday morning, Love tweeted, "Today is a sad day ... Kevin McHale will NOT be back as head coach this season." Love, who was traveling Wednesday and could not be reached for comment, had a follow-up post about an hour later after he ..."

Mark Jackson could get long look as Wolves prospective coach

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June 18

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"David Kahn, the Timberwolves' new basketball president who has removed Kevin McHale as coach, insisted Wednesday he has no ready list of potential candidates to succeed McHale. But a little birdie says Mark Jackson, a former point guard for the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, among other NBA teams, will get strong consideration for the job when Kahn technically begins his search after next week's draft. Jackson, 44, is an ESPN and ABC-TV NBA analyst. He has no coaching experience, and his staff with the Timberwolves would include experienced NBA coaches. As the Pioneer Press reported last week, one candidate already seeking the Wolves' coaching job is Bill Laimbeer. The highly ..."

Who might be next?

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June 18

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"New Wolves boss David Kahn says he won't begin the search for a new coach until the day after next week's NBA draft, but here are a few names he might consider to lead his team on the court: Mark Jackson Was Indiana's point guard when Kahn was there. The television analyst never has coached an NBA team but really wants to and he'd understand the truism that NBA players let you coach them. Bill Laimbeer The timing of his sudden resignation Monday as Detroit's WNBA coach is intriguing, but don't know if this former Pistons bad boy is the positive, nurturing presence Kahn says he is seeking. Never has coached a NBA team. Mike Fratello Has coached three NBA teams, and the TV guy is itching to ..."

Kevin McHale out as Minnesota Timberwolves coach

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June 17

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"After 17 years with the Timberwolves, the Kevin McHale era ended not with a bang but a tweet. Forward Kevin Love said in an early-morning posting on Twitter that McHale will not return as coach. "Today is a sad day," Love tweeted. "Kevin McHale will NOT be back as head coach next season." The Wolves had no immediate comment on the report. Messages to new team president of basketball operations David Kahn and a team spokesman were not returned. McHale, 51, went 20-43 this season after replacing the fired Randy Wittman as coach. Before that, McHale spent 14 seasons as the team's vice president of basketball operations highlighted by the 1995 drafting of Kevin Garnett, who led the team ..."

Even without coming in for a workout, Stephen Curry still an NBA draft option for Minnesota Timberwolves

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June 15

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Stephen Curry might not make it to Friday's big point-guard workout with the Timberwolves, but that wouldn't necessarily preclude them from taking the Davidson star in the June 25 NBA draft. Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn, who earlier said he would be adamant that any player the team is considering for the sixth overall selection come in for a workout, said Saturday that isn't etched in stone. "I am (adamant)," Kahn said. "But I don't want it to be so adamant that it's some sort of ironclad, pound-the-fist (rule). I think that would be inaccurate. I think it's important that everybody we look at does come in, so I don't want to back off of that. But I don't think ..."

Even without coming in for a workout, Stephen Curry still an NBA draft option for Minnesota

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June 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Stephen Curry might not make it to Friday's big point-guard workout with the Timberwolves, but that wouldn't necessarily preclude them from taking the Davidson star in the June 25 NBA draft. Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn, who earlier said he would be adamant that any player the team is considering for the sixth overall selection come in for a workout, said Saturday that isn't etched in stone. "I am (adamant)," Kahn said. "But I don't want it to be so adamant that it's some sort of ironclad, pound-the-fist (rule). I think that would be inaccurate. I think it's important that everybody we look at does come in, so I don't want to back off of that. But I don't think it's ..."

Timberwolves more focused on NBA draft than filling coaching slot

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June 13

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves resumed preparations for the NBA draft Friday while continuing to defer a decision on coach Kevin McHale's future. With the focus on the former, the latter might not be resolved until after the June 25 draft. David Kahn, the Wolves' president of basketball operations, stressed during a media breakfast that he has had only two significant meetings with McHale since taking the job three weeks ago and still has no timeline for making a decision. "The draft has a deadline," Kahn said. "The coach decision doesn't." The longer that decision takes, the more likely it would seem that McHale will return. His positive approach clearly plays well with this group of players, who to a ..."

Kahn: Still no deadline for McHale decision

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June 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn held a media breakfast this morning but did nothing to clarify the future of coach Kevin McHale. Kahn stressed that he has had just two significant meetings with McHale since taking the job three weeks ago and still has no timeline for making a decision, which might not come until after the June 25 NBA draft. "The draft has a deadline," Kahn said. "The coach decision does not." Kahn had little else to say for the record regarding McHale, who has the support of the players and some obvious strengths as a positive force on the bench and communicator. On the other hand, he has become a symbol of failure for a large segment of the ..."

Kahn, McHale meet; decision expected this week

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June 9

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn and Kevin McHale on Monday met at length for a third time to discuss the team's coaching job, and a decision about McHale's future with the franchise is likely to be made sometime this week. Kahn last week asked media members for quiet time to determine who will be the next coach because he said the attention generated in the first two meetings created an undesirable "breathless, moment-by-moment" situation. Asked by text message Monday night if he was in a prolonged period of radio silence about the matter and if a decision might come this week, Kahn answered simply, "Shhh.""

Kahn-McHale talks are ongoing

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June 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"New Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn and Kevin McHale will meet for a third time sometime next week after having dinner together again on Tuesday to discuss the team's coaching job, which Kahn said he feels no rush to resolve. "The most important thing is to do this the right way," Kahn said after watching pre-draft workouts at Target Center on Wednesday morning. "I don't have a timetable. I don't think it'd be appropriate to have a timetable. You cannot allow yourself to be driven by schedule in making those types of decisions. You need to be driven by the process and make sure the process delivers the best result. There's really nothing I sense or feel that ..."

Timberwolves draft prospects to work out

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May 30

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves' preparations for the June 25 NBA draft will enter a new phase Monday when 11 players come in for workouts. Gonzaga forward Austin Daye, Ohio State center B.J. Mullens and UCLA guard Darren Collison are the most highly rated prospects in the first group of players to work out for the Wolves, who own three first-round picks (Nos. 6, 18 and 28). Player workouts are expected to continue right up to the draft. Also scheduled to be in Monday are Georgia Tech forward Gani Lawal, USC guard Daniel Hackett, Utah center Luke Nevill, Israeli forward Omri Casspi, North Carolina forward Danny Green, Connecticut guard A.J. Price, Villanova forward Dante Cunningham and Texas AM forward ..."

Kahn, McHale to meet; matter won't be rushed

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May 26

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"New Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn will meet with Kevin McHale today to discuss the team's coaching job, but Kahn said Monday night he does not expect a decision on McHale's future to be made this week. Kahn said Friday he will not dismiss McHale just because he has the power to do so. He said the two might need to meet multiple times and said he doesn't feel pressed to decide the matter because preparing for the June 25 draft is more important."

Glen Taylor says friendship with Kevin McHale no factor

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May 24

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who has given new President David Kahn authority to decide whether Kevin McHale will return as coach, said he'll always have a friendship with McHale regardless of Kahn's decision. "Our fans could care less that I like or don't like Kevin; that's a personal thing," Taylor said. "I know our fans care greatly about us setting ourselves up for a championship team. Personally, that's my goal." Although the Wolves say they have plenty of flexibility with expiring player contracts, salary cap room and three first-round picks in next month's NBA draft, it's next year that such flexibility reaches its zenith. Kahn, asked how many games his team — which won 46 games ..."

Rebuilding Wolves' credibility is a dirty job, so have no reservations about cleaning house

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May 23

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Jim Souhan

"Since David Kahn is unlikely to receive much good advice from within the confines of Target Center, he'll have to look elsewhere. Like here. Kahn, the Timberwolves' new president of basketball operations, was introduced by the team on Friday, but only after a rambling introduction in which owner Glen Taylor tried to convince us that his search process had been efficient and had not resulted in job offers to any other candidates, a fascinating tale that some of his employees even believe. Kahn possesses the advantage of laying fresh eyes on the Wolves' clown show. He possesses the disadvantage of sudden proximity to the delusional personalities who have run this franchise into the ground. ..."

Kahn's work will begin immediately

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May 22

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves fans grew so disheartened by their team's tangled, continuing search for a new basketball boss that they clamored for their team to hire a sportswriter. They'll get their wish, just not the guy they wanted. The Wolves will end that five-month job search in which three candidates withdrew by today naming former Indiana Pacers general manager David Kahn their first president of basketball operations at a noon news conference at Target Center, sources close to the negotiations confirmed Thursday. Popular ESPN columnist Bill Simmons, who goes by the tag "Sports Guy," campaigned for the job and captured the imagination of a certain segment of Wolves fans, much like Jesse Ventura ..."

Timberwolves hire David Kahn to run team; decision on Kevin McHale could come next week

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May 21

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Minnesota Timberwolves' front-office search is over at last. Kevin McHale's future as coach has yet to be determined. The team will hold a noon news conference Friday at which David Kahn will be introduced as Minnesota's new president of basketball operations. Kahn, 47, worked nine years for the Indiana Pacers, including four as general manager and two more as special adviser, before leaving the organization in 2004. More recently, he has been involved with the NBA's D-league, where he owned as many as four teams and hired nine head coaches. It is not known how the Kahn hire will affect McHale's status, but a person close to the situation said that won't be decided until next week, at ..."

Penn promoted in Blazers' front office

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May 18

ESPN.com

"Make that three candidates to withdraw from the Minnesota Timberwolves' search for a new head of basketball operations. Portland Trail Blazers assistant general manager Tom Penn on Monday took his name out of the running for the position after receiving a promotion from the Blazers. Penn's pullout, on the eve of the NBA draft lottery, follows the withdrawals of initial top candidate Dennis Lindsey of the San Antonio Spurs and former Miami Heat general manager Randy Pfund. "It was a real tough call on his part," Warren LeGarie, Penn's agent, told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher, "but he's found a home in Portland and a niche within the organization where he thought there was more to ..."

Portland assistant GM Penn moves to Wolves' forefront

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May 16

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Former Miami Heat General Manager Randy Pfund withdrew from the Timberwolves' search for a new basketball-operations leader Friday on a day when it appeared the team has focused on hiring Portland assistant general manager Tom Penn. Penn remains the last known candidate interviewed -- last week -- by Wolves owner Glen Taylor and CEO Rob Moor during a five-month search in which Pfund and San Antonio assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey have withdrawn their names. The Wolves likely would pair Penn -- a salary-cap expert who has tutored under Jerry West, Kevin Pritchard and Chuck Daly in a 10-year NBA management career with Memphis and the Trail Blazers -- with assistant general manager ..."

Timberwolves' basketball operations job still open, but Portland's Penn may be on short list

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May 16

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves' season ended more than four weeks ago, and the team still hasn't named a new head of basketball operations. In fact, with Tuesday's NBA draft lottery looming and the June 25 draft a little more than a month away, exactly how and when this search will end remains uncertain. Will it be the late entry, Portland Trail Blazers assistant general manager Tom Penn, who reportedly has received a contract offer? Or will the Wolves go back to last week's apparent favorite, former Indiana Pacers general manager David Kahn? Or will owner Glen Taylor, after all the top-secret interviews and psychological testing, end up staying in-house and promote assistant general manager Fred ..."

Wolves eyeing Penn as GM

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May 15

ESPN.com

"As the Minnesota Timberwolves move closer to hiring Portland's Tom Penn as their new front-office chief, signals are growing stronger that Kevin McHale will retain the right to decide whether he stays on as the Wolves' coach. NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that Wolves owner Glen Taylor -- after initially saying that the new general manager would make the final call on Minnesota's coach -- has mandated that whoever is hired to take over Minnesota's basketball operations must make it McHale's choice to keep coaching or leave the organization. Sources say Taylor would like McHale to remain on Minnesota's bench for at least one more season. McHale has not publicly discussed any of his ..."

Job search turns to Blazers' Penn

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May 9

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves' search for a new head of basketball operations, thought to be nearing its end, could have a late entry. Hoopsworld.com is reporting today that Portland Trail Blazers assistant general manager Tom Penn has entered into discussions with the team. Penn has spent the past two seasons in Portland, focusing primarily on salary-cap and collective bargaining issues and assisting with personnel decisions. Before that, he spent eight years with the Memphis Grizzlies, the final seven as assistant general manager/legal counsel. Penn's name surfaces two days after former Indiana Pacers general manager David Kahn emerged as the Wolves' apparent favorite. Kahn has declined to discuss ..."

Wolves opening intrigues Pfund

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May 5

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"With reported favorite Dennis Lindsey out of the running, the race to become the Timberwolves' new head of basketball operations is seemingly wide open, and Randy Pfund is interested. A day after Lindsey, the San Antonio Spurs' assistant general manager, withdrew his name, Pfund said Saturday that Minnesota is still on his NBA radar. "I am looking to get back to work," the former Miami Heat general manager said. "I would say there are several opportunities out there, the Wolves' position being one, that intrigue me." Pfund, who was an assistant and head coach with the Los Angeles Lakers before going to Miami, wouldn't identify those opportunities, except to say they include the ..."

Spurs' Dennis Lindsey no longer interested in Timberwolves' GM job

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May 2

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Two weeks in, the Timberwolves' search for a new head of basketball operations took a dramatic turn Friday when San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey withdrew from consideration. ESPN.com was the first to report that Lindsey pulled out of the running, eliminating a highly regarded candidate who had been considered the front-runner. He also was viewed as a potentially difficult hire, however, as someone who would demand a free hand to overhaul the Wolves' coaching staff and front office and spend whatever it took to improve the roster. Lindsey's withdrawal leaves former Indiana Pacers executive David Kahn as the only outside candidate confirmed to have interviewed with ..."

Timberwolves to Interview Spurs Assistant General Manager Dennis Lindsey

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April 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves' search for a new head of basketball operations could be nearing its end and so could the Kevin McHale era. The San Antonio News-Express reported Sunday that Spurs general manager R.C. Burford confirmed the Wolves have asked for permission to interview assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey for the position. The newspaper also reported that another former member of the Spurs' front office, Cleveland assistant general manager Lance Blanks, is believed to be on the Wolves' short list, although Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry has denied that the team asked for permission to interview him. Wolves owner Glen Taylor has said he would like to fill the front-office ..."

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