The Minnesota Timberwolves struck out trying to hire Dave Joeger as their new head coach. But the team is back up at the plate, eyeing a new candidate.
According to multiple reports, former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro interviewed with the Timberwolves. Team president Flip Saunders is “increasingly intrigued” by Del Negro, who interviewed for the position in Cleveland.
Vinny Del Negro interviewed with Timberwolves GM Flip Saunders for coaching job, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. The two met in Cleveland.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 29, 2014
Wolves owner Glen Taylor has been partial to Sam Mitchell, but Saunders is increasingly intrigued with Del Negro’s candidacy, sources say.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 29, 2014
Coaching sources say Del Negro quietly interviewed w/Wolves last week before Dave Joerger talks collapsed. VDN also in mix for Cavs job
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 29, 2014
After Joeger opted to remain with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Timberwolves were believed to covet former Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell. However, Michell is no “shoo-in” for the job. Mitchell used to play for Minnesota and was coached by Saunders.
Del Negro has emerged as a serious contender for the Timberwolves’ coaching vacancy, as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers job, according to ESPN.com. Del Negro made “a strong impression” on Saunders when the two met.
Del Negro led the Bulls to the postseason in both of his seasons as the helm, though the team was bounced in the first round both times. In three years with the Clippers, he helped take them to the Western Conference semifinals in 2011-12. He was fired by the team after winning 57 games and a first-round exit in the playoffs in 2013.
Del Negro owns a career coaching record of 210-184 with a .533 winning percentage in the regular season, never allowing his team to be below .500.
