Flip Saunders candidate to replace David Kahn next season

Jan 16, 2012; Washington , DC, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Flip Saunders reacts during the first half against the Houston Rockets at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

With back-to-back injury plagued seasons, it is hard to blame president of basketball operations David Kahn for the Timberwolves’ lack of success lately.

Even so, Kahn is likely in the hot seat following the season.

Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune opines that former Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders is likely to replace Kahn as the president of basketball operations for the team before the 2013-14 season.

"Unless Saunders is offered a coaching job that would pay him a lot more money than he would get being the Wolves’ president of basketball operations, I think it’s a strong possibility that Saunders will replace Kahn before next season.Taylor mentioned some time ago that he considers Saunders a better judge of personnel than he is a coach. And the personnel situation with the Wolves the past two years has been a disaster."

According to Hartman, Saunders has quietly served as a consultant for him on the basketball team during this season. Team owner Glen Taylor reportedly went to Saunders for advice throughout the season, including seeking advice for how to handle the many injuries the team suffered this season.

The fact that Taylor is seeking personnel advice from someone outside his own president of basketball operations, shows the trust he has in Saunders—and lack of trust in Kahn.