Thursday 21 April 2016 10:54, UK
Tom Thibodeau will make a return to coaching next season after being hired by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Thibodeau has reportedly signed a five-year deal worth upwards of $40m to return to the franchise he started his career with as an assistant coach during their 1989-90 expansion season.
The 58-year-old was fired by the Chicago Bulls at the end of the 2014-15 campaign, despite a win record of nearly 65 per cent in his five seasons, and is currently working as an NBA analyst for ESPN.
They have also brought in Scott Layden as general manager - he had been working as an assistant to San Antonio Spurs president RC Buford.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Tom Thibodeau back to the Timberwolves," owner Glen Taylor said in a statement.
"He is a proven winner, leader and one of the most well-respected NBA head coaches over the last decade. The future of the Minnesota Timberwolves has never been brighter."
The Timberwolves finished last season with a disappointing 29-53 record and fired interim coach Sam Mitchell soon after their final game - Mitchell had taken over when Flip Saunders died last October after a battle with cancer.
Despite that record, the franchise boasts two of the league's most promising young players in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, at least giving Thibodeau something to build on.
"I started my NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves and it is an incredible opportunity to rejoin the organisation at a time when they have what I believe to be the best young roster in the NBA," Thibodeau said.
"Together with a great owner in Glen Taylor and a terrific basketball partner in Scott Layden, I look forward to building a winning culture that Minnesota sports fans can be proud of."
