The firing of Tom Thibodeau from his role as president of basketball operations and head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves came at a puzzling time from an outside perspective, but it was a much-needed move that was long overdue for the fans.
According to a recent report by Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Thibodeau's dismissal was the result of a multitude of factors that weighed in the decision to call his two-and-a-half-year tenure to an abrupt end.
Thibodeau's poor communication with his team in terms of rotations, role and minutes had frustrated young players and veterans, as he insisted on a starters-heavy rotation that left little playing time or opportunity for others hoping to get on the floor.
Furthermore, his reluctance to trade Jimmy Butler when his trade request went public had angered fans, the same fans that just witnessed their team make the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.
Thibodeau's reasoning for wanting to keep Butler was understandable, but to fans, there's nothing more insulting that purposely keeping a player that no longer wants to be part of the team.
All these factors contributed to a fan base stepping away from the franchise, as the Timberwolves rank 29th in home attendance only a year after ranking 21st in the league — a massive drop-off by ownership standards.
With more than a half season left underway, the Wolves gave assistant Ryan Saunders, son of late coach Flip Saunders, the interim head coach position while general manager Scott Layden will take the helm of the front office while the president spot remains vacant.
The Timberwolves are young and now moving in that direction, so here are five coaches that can flip this team into all that is meant to be.
5. Ryan Saunders
The son of the late Flip Saunders was already given the reins as the interim coach of the Wolves, but it is up to him to keep that title after the season is over.
Saunders has the vote of confidence from owner Glen Taylor, who was fond of Flip as a longtime staple of the franchise, as well as Ryan's progress through the ranks — currently the youngest coach in the league at a ripe 32 years of age.
Before joining the Timberwolves in 2014, Saunders was a player development coach with the Washington Wizards since 2009, shortly after finishing his playing career at the University of Minnesota.
Saunders already has a positive rapport with the players in this roster and will give his guys a chance to play. While he's innovative and full of ideas, the young Saunders will need experienced voices on his staff to guide him for these last 42 games of a long journey.
Longtime league veteran Randy Wittman is one potential candidate to join him on the bench, according to Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500, giving his tenure a mix of spry youth and veteran savvy to deal with the egos in the locker room.
4. Fred Hoiberg
The circle of life brings a coach that has the most experience out of all candidates in replacing Thibodeau after his firing.
Hoiberg has a deep connection to the organization and owner Glen Taylor, as he played the last two seasons of his career in Minnesota, shooting the best percentages of his 10-year tenure in the league with the Wolves, a blistering 44.2 and 48.3 percent in 2003-04 and 2004-05, respectively.
His modern coaching style and spread-out system plays well in today's game, and he would benefit from having better cogs than he did in his time with the Chicago Bulls earlier this season.
Hoiberg has been intent in returning to the coaching game, but could also be a front office option for Taylor as president of basketball operations or even taking over Scott Layden's job as a general manager after the season.
3. Chauncey Billups
Billups has been in the minds of many NBA franchises, as his track record as a basketball mind is one among the highest-praised in league circles.
The Cleveland Cavaliers formerly offered him the job as a potential front office executive before Koby Altman was named general manager, an offer Billups turned down swiftly at the wake of David Griffin's firing in the summer of 2017.
Billups played two seasons with the Wolves as an early journeyman before signing with the Detroit Pistons, where he enjoyed six seasons as their starting point guard, winning an NBA title in 2004.
He's excelled in his role as an analyst for ESPN. His knowledge of the game and mix of camaraderie and Xs and Os makes him uniquely qualified to take on the role of coach or front office executive despite his lack of experience in either role.
2. Sam Cassell
Cassell has been an assistant coach in the league for 10 years and if the organization is following the vision of the late Flip Saunders, the 15-year veteran point guard would have to be among this list.
Saunders initially brought in Cassell as an assistant during his time with the Washington Wizards in 2009, where he became the point guard whisperer to current All-Star John Wall.
As a player, Cassell propelled the Wolves to contention during a two-year stint in Minnesota, where his instincts as a leader and longtime cagey veteran played a part in his league-wide reputation as one of the best player motivators.
Cassell understands the game, but most importantly, he understands players in today's era of player power and encouragement. If the Wolves hope to get this team on the right track, they would be sure to give the longtime assistant an interview at the end of this 2018-19 season.
1. Monty Williams
Williams is currently an assistant coach under Brett Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers, but it won't take long before teams come calling and ask for his availability as a potential head coach.
The 47-year-old enjoyed a five-year tenure as coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, mentoring All-Star forward Anthony Davis into the superstar he's become today. Williams also had stints as an assistant under Nate McMillan with the Portland Trail Blazers, Billy Donovan with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as well as played for Gregg Popovich in San Antonio before taking the role of Vice President with the Spurs in 2017.
Williams is well-rounded and has a strong mix of experience and a nurturing style that can prove effective with young players in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. If Taylor decides to give him a shot during the offseason, his ability to see the game from all aspects could prove a boon for this young team.
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