Knicks Interested in Timberwolves Head Coach Chris Finch
Not only have the MN Timberwolves failed to win a Larry O'Brien Trophy during the franchise's 36-year history, the Wolves have NEVER even been able to sew a patch graphic of one on their jerseys for an NBA Finals series.
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Just three times — in 3.6 decades of the Timberwolves' NBA existence — has this team even made the Western Conference Finals. Of note: Two of those three have come in consecutive seasons, under the leadership of president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, head coach Chris Finch and rising superstar, Anthony Edwards.
But does that mean that's the best three-headed monster to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves into the future Well, some (me) already asked that question, immediately following the Wolves' latest WCF exit. You can read about how I feel, if you want, then decide for yourself. But in the end, our opinions don't matter.
Other teams (New York Knicks) interested in trading for Chris Finch…?
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The only opinion that really matters, when it comes to the future of Chris Finch — who obviously coached Karl-Anthony Towns before he was traded to New York — and KAT's old team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, is Tim Connelly's. As of now, there is no evidence to suggest that's the case.
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However, should our PoBO change his mind — and decide one way or another that Finchy is not the right man for the job, going forward — it sounds like at least one other team would be interested in trading for the Wolves 5-year head coach.
In a newly released notes piece at SNY.com, longtime NBA insider Ian Begley reports that the New York Knicks are eyeing up Finch — who holds the best winning percentage of any coach in Minnesota Timberwolves history, at .566 (209-160) — along with two other already-employed coaches, Ime Udoka (Rockets) and Jason Kidd (Mavericks).
Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, and Jason Kidd are among the coaches currently under contract who the Knicks have degrees of interest in…Kidd, 52, has been the Mavericks' head coach since 2021. Udoka is the head coach of the Rockets, while Finch is the head coach of the Timberwolves…If the Knicks wind up hiring Udoka, Finch, or Kidd, they will be required to send compensation to their former team.
Ian Begley – SNY News Desk
It's important to note that Towns isn't the only thing that ties the Knicks back to the Minnesota Timberwolves. One of New York's top executives, and lead decision-makers is former Wolves PoBO, Gersson Rosas, who back in 2021 was determined to hire Chris Finch the moment he fired Ryan Saunders, no matter who it pissed off.
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Read: Knicks Could Be Eyeing Timberwolves for More Help
According to Begley, the New York Knicks are not all that interested in coaching retreads like Mike Malone, who was fired weeks prior to the postseason by the Denver Nuggets, or even popular candidates like former Villanova star coach, Jay Wright. Interestingly enough, The Athletic has already linked Wolves assistant coach, Micah Nori, as a possible candidate too.
What does the NBA prophecy (script?) say about the future of Minnesota Timberwolves leadership?
For now, though, Ian believes that Knicks' decision-makers plan to be patient, as they search for an improvement from Tom Thibodeau, who was fired days after coaching New York to their first Eastern Conference Finals since the 1999-2000 season, not to mention two-straight East Semis before that.
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For two-straight offseasons now, there have been questions surrounding Tim Connelly's future as president of basketball ops. Now that Marc Lore (along with Alex Rodriguez and a host of billionaire minority investors) are set to take control of the organization this month, however, Connelly has confirmed he's likely in for the long haul too.
We also know that Anthony Edwards — freshly equipped with a 5-year, $244.6 million maximum contract extension (which will go up even more when he makes another All-NBA team) that kicked in last season and has four years remaining — is not going anywhere either.
Does that mean Chris Finch is locked in as the third wheel to the Wolves' leadership tricycle, underneath the new ownership group? As of now, that answer is yes. But if we ever hear otherwise… it sounds like things could get interesting fast.
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