Wolves finalize agreement to appoint Saunders coach

Acting coach Ryan Saunders finalized a multi-year deal to become the Minnesota Timberwolves' head coach on Monday.

Gersson Rosas, the new president of the Timberwolves basketball operations, met with candidates at the NBA draft, but the searches turned to Saunders.

"Ryan is an excellent communicator and has developed open and trusting relationships with our players, I have known Ryan for many years and have always respected his approach to the game, his work ethic, his knowledge of basketball and his For the modern NBA, I am convinced that as a partner, it will make the most of our players for building our identity and a sustainable winning model, "said Rosas in a statement.

Saunders, 33, finished the Timberwolves season as an interim coach after Tom Thibodeau's dismissal in mid-season and got down the center from the stars Karl-Anthony Towns.

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Saunders impressed both the property and senior management, including Rosas, who has spent a dozen hours meeting with him since his recent appointment to coach the Wolves basketball operations.

He is the son of Flip Saunders, the coach of the Timberwolves, who died in 2015 at the age of 60 after battling a cancer.

Minnesota are also recruiting Gianluca Pascucci of Brooklyn as assistant managing director, ESPN sources told the league. Pascucci was the director of World Scouting for Nets and had previously worked closely with Rosas in Houston.