There is an obvious connection between the Minnesota Timberwolves front office and free agent head coach Mike D’Antoni.
The Minnesota Timberwolves finished with the third-worst record in the NBA this past season. Because of this, they were able to win the NBA Draft Lottery, and currently hold the first, 17th, and 33rd overall draft picks.
Last offseason, the Timberwolves brought in a new front office, spearheaded by new general manager Gersson Rosas, who previously worked under Daryl Morey for the Houston Rockets.
Rosas thus far has re-organized the team’s roster and established an offense-first, shoot-heavy rotation. He has brought in D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and used the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft to select Jarrett Culver.
The Minnesota Timberwolves currently have Ryan Saunders instilled as head coach, and following his first full season as head coach, do not look to be pursuing alternative options.
However, with former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni becoming available, it may not be unforeseeable for the Timberwolves to move on from Saunders in favor of the more experienced option.
D’Antoni has worked with lots of talent over the course of his career – most notably Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, and James Harden. He has been one of the most notable reasons for the explosion of both Nash and Harden, who won MVP’s under D’Antoni’s coaching.
The most interesting aspect of bringing in D’Antoni as coach would be his utilization of Karl-Anthony Towns. Giving one of the best perimeter and offensively advanced big men in the league to a coach known for playing fast-paced high-scoring basketball would seemingly help everyone.
Still, though, it is very unlikely that the Timberwolves move on from Ryan Saunders – especially after just one season. But, should the possibility of Gersson Rosas being able to bring in a top coach that he has worked with in the past arise, I’m not sure he would turn it down.