The latest on Kurt Rambis and the Minnesota Timberwolves.  Word came today, that Pres. David Kahn wants to reassign current head coach Kurt Rambis (who has yet to get the “axe”).  

The initial story was that just days before the 2011 NBA Draft, news broke that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be firing Kurt Rambis and had already begun the search for potential replacements.

However, earlier this evening, the TWolves are now proposing that they want to reassign Rambis to the front office for the remaining 2-years $4M.  

However, sources say that Kurt Rambis has no desire whatsoever in teaming with Kahn in the front office—something that reportedly holds little to no appeal for Kurt.  

Honestly, can you blame Kurt Rambis?  He’s been strung along since mid-April when the Timberwolves season mercifully came to an end riding a 15-game losing streak and now, the beginning of July and there’s been no official announcement firing him or intentions to keep him around.  

Yahoo Sports have said that this is being seen as more of a concept than a formal offer by David Kahn to Kurt, as there’s been little to no communication between Rambis and the Wolves front office in quite a few days.

On June 22nd, the informal news broke that Rambis wouldn’t return as Wolves head coach, but again, no official announcement has been made.  The idea being that the Wolves will pay Rambis through the NBA lockout as it is cheaper, right now, than firing him and having to negotiate an expensive buyout—AS WELL AS hiring a replacement.

Kahn has reportedly been searching for replacements the past few weeks and among the names include Portland Trailblazers assistant Bernie Bickerstaff.  Bernie of course is the son of current Wolves assistant coach—J.B. Bickerstaff.  The obvious idea being that the Bickerstaffs would come in and work together with Bernie as the head coach and after a few years would turn the team over to his son—J.B.  Other candidates that Kahn has shown interest in include: U of Washington coach Lorenzo Romar, Rick Adelman and Sam Mitchell (though Rick and Sam aren’t being looked at as closely as Bernie and Lorenzo).  

The Timberwolves—with newly signed Ricky Rubio have stated that they want to ‘run’ next year—utilizing a fast break offense to coincide with the talents of Ricky, Wes, Beasley, Love, Williams, Randolph etc.

The chance of Rambis accepting this is extremely low, but for now, it’s a wait and see situation.

Thanks for reading and remember to check back daily for all the up-to-date TWolves news, information and updates all year round (lockout or not!).  GO WOLVES!

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Derrick Williams with the #2 overall pick in last month’s draft, however after July 1st, the NBA locked out it’s players after failing to negotiate a new labor agreement (Collective Bargaining Agreement-CBA).

William—like all rookies, was hoping to sign a big contract, but that won’t happen anytime soon, so with no money-what are the options for Derrick this summer and likely well into the fall?

Williams has stated that he’ll get money from his agent, trading card company, or by other means.  ”If I do that, I ought to be good.  If I need more, I can take out a line of credit or whatever, but it’s not like I’m going to need much,” Williams told the Los Angeles Times.

Williams is represented by the same agent as Kobe Bryant—Rob Pelinka (as is Wolves guard Wesley Johnson).  Kobe Bryant is reportedly trying to organize a team of NBA players for a “barnstorming” tour around China for non-NBA exhibition games—this of course is a possibility that could land the rookie a paycheck.

Williams has also stated that he may go back to school (in Arizona) and work towards his bachelor’s degree—in business—which is a promise he made his mother (to go back to school and get his degree).

Williams will also likely host a number of basketball camps around California where he grew up.  

And he’ll likely be playing pickup games and working out for, WHENEVER the 2011-12 season begins.

That’s all for now, thanks for reading and remember to check daily for all your Timberwolves news, information and updates all year long.  GO WOLVES!

Jonah Ballow talks with Minnesota forward Michael Beasley, about the offseason, Derrick Williams, Ricky Rubio and…Skittles.

The Minnesota Timberwolves introduce their newest player: Derrick Williams following the 2011 NBA Draft

Wolves David Kahn talks with the media during the 2011 NBA Draft about: Derrick Williams, their young roster, the Wolves’ ‘untouchable’ players, the future in Minnesota, free agency discussions and the dire need of veteran leadership

Wolves Writer/Editor Jonah Ballow talks with the #2 overall pick—Derrick Williams after a photo-shoot at the Target Center in Minneapolis Minnesota.

A first look at Minnesota Timberwolves’ Derrick Williams in his new Wolves jersey

CBSSports.com’s Mark Morgan speaks with former Arizona forward Derrick Williams—who was drafted #2 overall tonight (6/23) by the Minnesota Timberwolves—in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The Wolves new backcourt next season-Wesley Johnson and Ricky Rubio at the 2011 NBA Draft Party earlier this evening.

Wolves’ newest player: Derrick Williams!

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2011 NBA Draft 1st Round pick—2nd overall—Arizona forward: Derrick Williams.

The 2011 NBA Draft is just over two hours away and today we’ll be bringing you the last mock draft update of the summer.  You can find the other two parts with the links provided below, offering different perspectives at different times.

PART ONE: http://minnesotatimberwolves.tumblr.com/post/5875278610/nba-mock-drafts-around-the-net

PART TWO: http://minnesotatimberwolves.tumblr.com/post/6468597688/nba-mock-drafts-around-the-net-part-ii

In this update, unlike the last 2, everyone taking Arizona forward Derrick Williams and as usual the 20th pick is different at every turn.

Below each name in bold, you’ll find the link to their websites for their full mock drafts…

Chad Ford: ESPN NBA 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-110623

#2: Derrick Williams, PF, 6-9, 249lbs., 20, Arizona

#20: Iman Shumpert, PG, 6-6, 221lbs., 20, Georgia Tech

Derrick Williams is the consensus pick in almost every mock draft out there today.  Whether he’s a trade chip or if he’ll actually be with the TWolves next season, remains to be seen, however, Enes Kanter or Kyrie Irving are also options here, depending on how the first pick goes.

Chad Ford of ESPN has Iman Shumpert going to the Wolves at #20.  Shumpert doesn’t make much sense to me.  Shumpert is seen as a great defensive player that can guard both guard positions.  Defense is definitely a team need, but he’s not the player I see the Wolves, taking, however with Kahn running the draft for the TWolves—drafting another point guard seems almost inevitable.

DraftExpress

http://www.draftexpress.com/

#2: Derrick Williams, PF, 6-9, 249lbs., 20, Arizona

#20: Alec Burks, SG, 6-6, 193lbs., 19, Colorado

Derrick Williams is the consensus pick in almost every mock draft out there today.  Whether he’s a trade chip or if he’ll actually be with the TWolves next season, remains to be seen, however, Enes Kanter or Kyrie Irving are also options here, depending on how the first pick goes.

Alec Burks worked out for the Wolves in early June and the Wolves were reportedly impressed with his workout as he went head-to-head with Providence guard Marshon Brooks.  Most mocks have Burks off the board by then some as high as #10 to the Bucks.

nbadraft.net

http://nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft

#2: Derrick Williams, PF, 6-9, 249lbs., 20, Arizona

#20: Marshon Brooks, SG, 6-5, 195lbs., 22, Providence

Derrick Williams is the consensus pick in almost every mock draft out there today.  Whether he’s a trade chip or if he’ll actually be with the TWolves next season, remains to be seen, however, Enes Kanter or Kyrie Irving are also options here, depending on how the first pick goes.

Like myself, nbadraft.net has the TWolves drafting Marshon Brooks at #20.  Brooks has been compared to Kobe Bryant, lofty expectations for the 22-year-old.  The shooting guard position is a need for the Wolves, whether Brooks would start over Wes or back him up—Wayne Ellington isn’t a great 2nd option at the 2-guard.  Brooks would need to work on his defense, but I like where he’d fit with this young team.

SportingNews

#2: Derrick Williams, PF, 6-9, 249lbs., 20, Arizona

#20: Alec Burks, SG, 6-6, 193lbs., 19, Colorado

Derrick Williams is the consensus pick in almost every mock draft out there today.  Whether he’s a trade chip or if he’ll actually be with the TWolves next season, remains to be seen, however, Enes Kanter or Kyrie Irving are also options here, depending on how the first pick goes.

SportingNews—like DraftExpress has the Timberwolves taking Colorado guard Alec Burks.  The 2-guard is a need for the Wolves as is the center.  Burks will probably be off the board by #20 though.

Hoopshype

http://hoopshype.com/draft.htm

#2: Derrick Williams, PF, 6-9, 249lbs., 20, Arizona

#20: Jordan Hamilton, SF, 6-9, 229lbs., 20, Texas

Derrick Williams is the consensus pick in almost every mock draft out there today.  Whether he’s a trade chip or if he’ll actually be with the TWolves next season, remains to be seen, however, Enes Kanter or Kyrie Irving are also options here, depending on how the first pick goes.

A new name at #20-Jordan Hamilton.  The Texas forward is talented, however the wing position isn’t the biggest need if the Wolves grab Derrick Williams at the one and keep Wes Johnson, Anthony Randolph, Kevin Love, Martell Webster and Michael Beasley.

NBA.com

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/david_aldridge/06/23/mock-draft-3/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

#2: Derrick Williams, PF, 6-9, 249lbs., 20, Arizona

#20: Reggie Jackson, PG, 6-3, 208lbs., 21, Boston College

Derrick Williams is the consensus pick in almost every mock draft out there today.  Whether he’s a trade chip or if he’ll actually be with the TWolves next season, remains to be seen, however, Enes Kanter or Kyrie Irving are also options here, depending on how the first pick goes.

This one doesn’t make much sense to me.  Reggie Jackson is yet another point guard—someone that David Kahn is probably considering—therefore.  Most mock drafts have Jackson going #31 to the Miami Heat, others at #27 to the Nets, he’s not an option to me, especially considering he hasn’t done any workouts for anyone and has had a major knee injury in the past.

minnesotatimberwolves.tumblr.com

#2: Derrick Williams, PF, 6-9, 249lbs., 20, Arizona

#20: Marshon Brooks, SG, 6-5, 195lbs., 22, Providence

Derrick Williams is the consensus pick in almost every mock draft out there today.  Whether he’s a trade chip or if he’ll actually be with the TWolves next season, remains to be seen, however, Enes Kanter or Kyrie Irving are also options here, depending on how the first pick goes.  I personally like Enes Kanter, but I believe if the Wolves really want him, they need to trade down to get him, he’s been called either the biggest BUST or the player with the biggest reward.

Like I said before, I really like Marshon Brooks.  Watching an interview he seems like he’d be a nice fit personality and talent wise for the young TWolves team.  His offensive capabilities would be extremely valuable and if the Kobe Bryant comparisons ever become true, taking Brooks at 20, would be the steal of the decade.

This is the last draft update until tonight, when we’ll be updating a post by the minute with the latest picks, trades and chatter around the League.  Look for that to start at 6pmCT right here on minnesotatimberwolves.tumblr.com

Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

A look at the Minnesota Timberwolves 2011 Draft Preview.  All about the TWolves draft history, point guard position, Ricky Rubio & Derrick Williams.  Remember to watch the 2011 NBA Draft tomorrow night.

UPDATE: Another candidate that’s being thrown out their is Portland assistant Bernie Bickerstaff—the father of current Wolves assistant J.B. Bickerstaff.  The idea being J.B. would take over in a couple years with help from his father. 

UPDATE: Lorenzo Romar reportedly didn’t want to speak to the Wolves about the job when asked about it.  ”I love Seattle.  My wife loves Seattle and it’s a place that when we first got there—even though some were skeptical—I thought it was a place where we could be successful.  It’s awkward, maybe, more than flattering.  For one, there is a current coach there.  So that makes it awkward.”  Romar told the Seattle Times—obviously before word of Rambis’ firing ‘broke’.

According to Yahoo! Sports, league sources have said: David Kahn has decided to fire head coach Kurt Rambis!

It’s expected Kahn will not make this official until after tomorrow’s NBA Draft, however, he’s apparently already begun looking at replacements.

One such candidate is apparently: Lorenzo Romar (coach from University of Washington).  However, the Wolves are behind after numerous other teams have hired replacements, it may be slim pickings-LA Lakers: Mike Brown, Raptors: Dwayne Casey (a coach the Wolves were VERY interested in having return), Warriors: Mark Jackson, Rockets: Kevin McHale (Kahn wouldn’t be dumb enough to re-hire him after firing him 2 years ago…right?), Indiana making Frank Vogel their official coach and also, with the Pistons still looking at coaches like Kelvin Sampson, Mike Woodson & Lawrence Frank.

I would really like to see the Wolves take careful looks at such candidates as: Kelvin Sampson, Lawrence Frank, Mike Woodson, Patrick Ewing, Sam Mitchell and/or Mike Budenholzer.  Information on all these coaches can be found within the link at the bottom of this post.

Kahn has wanted Rambis to be more of a communicator with the team as well as with him and apparently their relationship had seriously deteriorated this past year.  Kahn also wanted Rambis to change his offensive & defensive systems, giving the Wolves a more open-court system for their new point guard Ricky Rubio, to roam free in, rather than the complex triangle—that reportedly, not all the players even learned—AFTER TWO YEARS!  His uneasy relationship with Kevin Love—the Wolves current ‘face of the franchise’ doesn’t help his cause either.  Neither did the 32-132 record!

As stated before, Kahn isn’t expected to make this official until after tomorrow’s draft, but it looks as though Kurt Rambis’ time in Minny has come to an end.

ALSO!!!  If you haven’t seen the April 23rd post on this site of possible coaching options for the Wolves, you should definitely check it out, link is down below (of course a few of those names have found destinations already).

http://minnesotatimberwolves.tumblr.com/post/4851796107/possible-coaching-options-for-the-wolves

That’s all for now, get ready for tomorrow’s draft as we’ll have up-to-the-minute updates throughout the night.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!