NBA Rumors: Timberwolves ‘Increasingly Intrigued’ With Vinny Del Negro

Vinny Del Negro
Vinny Del Negro
Howard Smith USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves struck out trying to hire Dave Joeger as their new head coach. But the team is back up at the plate, eyeing a new candidate.

According to multiple reports, former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro interviewed with the Timberwolves. Team president Flip Saunders is “increasingly intrigued” by Del Negro, who interviewed for the position in Cleveland.

After Joeger opted to remain with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Timberwolves were believed to covet former Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell. However, Michell is no “shoo-in” for the job. Mitchell used to play for Minnesota and was coached by Saunders.

Del Negro has emerged as a serious contender for the Timberwolves’ coaching vacancy, as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers job, according to ESPN.com. Del Negro made “a strong impression” on Saunders when the two met.

Del Negro led the Bulls to the postseason in both of his seasons as the helm, though the team was bounced in the first round both times. In three years with the Clippers, he helped take them to the Western Conference semifinals in 2011-12. He was fired by the team after winning 57 games and a first-round exit in the playoffs in 2013.

Del Negro owns a career coaching record of 210-184 with a .533 winning percentage in the regular season, never allowing his team to be below .500.

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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.