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After a season-ending win Wednesday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves relieved interim head coach Sam Mitchell of his duties. They will now search for a new head coach and president of basketball operations, which is a dual role Flip Saunders filled prior to his death last fall.
Here are my top five candidates to become the next Timberwolves head coach.
5. Jeff Van Gundy
Getty ImagesThe Associated Press has offered Van Gundy as a candidate for the job in Minnesota. The current ESPN analyst is surely a big name with a coaching resume that makes him appealing, to the Timberwolves and others with an opening. But Van Gundy has not coached in nine years, and there's something to be said for the lower stress of television.
4. Tom Thibodeau
Getty ImagesThe former Chicago Bulls coach has reportedly been on the Timberwolves' radar, and he will be a popular candidate for any available job now. It may come down to having full personnel power for Thibodeau, and if the Timberwolves are hesitant to give it to a new coach, both sides might move on quickly.
3. Patrick Ewing
Getty ImagesEwing has made the transition from Hall of Fame player to NBA assistant coach, with 13 seasons of experience with four teams. He's a definite dark horse for the Minnesota job, but any legitimate search should include an interview with Ewing.
2. Scott Brooks
Getty ImagesWith his success in Oklahoma City preceding this season out of coaching, Brooks will have his choice of available jobs. The Timberwolves have a similar situation to what the Thunder had a handful of years ago, with two dynamic young stars, and Brooks has some tie to the franchise as he spent part of his playing career in Minnesota.
1. Dave Joerger
Getty ImagesJoerger interviewed for the Timberwolves' job a couple years ago, before eventually returning to the Memphis Grizzlies. He is in line to be one of the lowest-paid coaches in the league next season, in the final guaranteed year of his contract, so the grass should definitely be greener for Joerger in Minnesota.
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