Flip Saunders returns to bench in Minnesota

With the help of general manager Milt Newton, Saunders was able to pull that deal off, changing the course of the franchise. He also added veteran point guard Mo Williams and drafted Zach LaVine as part of a makeover aimed at breathing new energy into a team that hasn't made the playoffs for 10 years.
It was a fulfilling summer, but as training camp approaches, the excitement in Saunders' voice is palpable. It's finally time for him to shift from Timberwolves president to Timberwolves coach, and he is clearly looking forward to returning to the bench after two years away. After getting fired by the Washington Wizards in 2012, Saunders spent a year as an analyst for ESPN before coming back to the Wolves -- the team he coached from 1995-2005 -- last year as team president.

-- AP