Despite the Minnesota Timberwolves missing out on the playoffs this season, there has to be some silver lining heading into what will be a busy offseason.
The team had to endure a mid-season head coach firing of Tom Thibodeau and the team also dealt away it’s leader, Jimmy Butler, at the trade deadline. However, the Wolves managed to stay respectable out West and currently hold a record of 36-45 with one game left on their schedule. Even though this mark is far from where they wanted to be, they are reportedly still satisfied enough to retain head coach Ryan Saunders and GM Scott Layden according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Minnesota is finalizing plans to keep GM Scott Layden and coach Ryan Saunders, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2019
While the Wolves were never a true threat in a loaded Western Conference this season, they showed they still have a bright future and could win games without Butler or former head coach Tom Thibodeau. Ryan Saunders was promoted to interim head coach after Thibodeau was fired on Jan. 6.
The Timberwolves showed some fight over the second half of the season, managing a 17-25 record over that same span since Saunders took over. Saunders is the son of the late, great Flip Saunders who coached the Wolves for over a decade.
Minnesota will close their season with a game against Denver before navigating what will be a crucial offseason. Hopefully retaining both their head coach and GM provides some form of stability for a team that has yet to put it all together.
