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Report: Saunders could return to T'wolves

Former coach Flip Saunders could replace David Kahn as the Minnesota Timberwolves' president of basketball operations, NBA.com reported Friday.

Saunders, 58, is reportedly negotiating a contract that could run through the 2017-18 season with option years and worth more than $9 million over the full five years. NBA.com cited league sources who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the move.

The team could announce Saunders' hiring and Kahn's firing next week.

Under Kahn, the Timberwolves went 89-223 and failed to reach the playoffs over the last four seasons. Minnesota has missed the playoffs nine straight years overall.

Saunders would not confirm the report.

"What develops right now is yet to be determined," Saunders told ESPN.

Saunders went 411-326 in nine-plus seasons as the Timberwolves coach, leading the team to eight consecutive playoff appearances.

Saunders was president of the Timberwolves in May 1995 and took over as coach the following season. In 2000, he relinquished general manager duties stemming from salary cap violations related to signing forward Joe Smith.

Saunders also coached the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards.