Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Tom Thibodeau agrees to deal with Timberwolves

Tom Thibodeau (Getty Images)Tom Thibodeau agreed to a five-year, $40 million deal to become president of basketball operations and head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Scott Layden also agreed to a deal to join Thibodeau as general manager.
Thibodeau emerged as the frontrunner in pursuit of the job in recent days, selling owner Glen Taylor on his vision of sustained success and playoff basketball in Minnesota.
"I started my NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves and it is an incredible opportunity to rejoin the organization at a time when they have what I believe to be the best young roster in the NBA," Thibodeau said in a statement. "Together with a great owner in Glen Taylor and a terrific basketball partner in Scott Layden, I look forward to building a winning culture that Minnesota sports fans can be proud of."
Thibodeau was drawn to the full control of the organization and the chance to coach a talented young core that includes rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
Jeff Van Gundy was among the finalists for the job.
Thibodeau, 58, had clashes with Chicago management in his successful five-year run with the Bulls and embraced a Minnesota management model based upon Stan Van Gundy's setup with general manager Jeff Bower in Detroit.
Thibodeau has a strong relationship with Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett, who has yet to announce he's playing another season with the team. Garnett has had aspirations of joining the team's ownership group upon retirement. Thibodeau and Garnett were part of Boston's 2008 NBA championship team.
Layden has previously been the general manager for the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks.

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