Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders is expected to finalize a multi-year deal to remain with the franchise as the permanent man at the helm, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

UPDATE: An agreement with Saunders has been reached, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. 

New president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas was quick to start his tenure by interviewing outside candidates, all while gauging the philosophy and work that Saunders had put in for half of the 2018-19 season.

The Timberwolves were 17-25 under Saunders last season after the firing of former coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau, soon taking a major dip defensively under his watch. However Saunders had proven personable, able to reach his young players and experienced enough to manage a roster that included raw talent and veteran players.

Saunders' struggles also hinged on a slew of injuries, including Robert Covington, Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague, Tyus Jones and Taj Gibson.

Saunders is expected to tailor a staff around him, which would help him evaluate draft picks ahead of the NBA Draft Combine. He is expected to add a “defensive guru” of his own, similar to Jeff Bzdelik in Houston or Ron Adams in Golden State, according to Jon Krawczysnki of The Athletic.

This is also Rosas' first major move as a full-fledged front office executive at his position — admirable, given his stance on doing his due diligence and searching for alternative coaches before deciding on Saunders, who was a favorite inside the organization.

The Timberwolves are expecting to grow through one of their own, as Ryan, son of the late coach Flip Saunders, will take the reins from now on.