Timberwolves to retain Saunders as coach

The Minnesota Timberwolves have decided to retain Ryan Saunders as head coach, according to Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The decision to keep Saunders was made by new head of basketball operations Gersson Rosas. Saunders finished last season as the team's interim coach. It has been said he is well-respected by the Timberwolves' key younger players, such as Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

He is also the son of longtime Timberwolves coach and executive Flip Saunders.

Ryan Saunders took over for Tom Thibodeau midway through the season and led the team to a 17-25 mark. Saunders, 33, becomes the league's youngest head coach.

The Timberwolves own the No. 11 pick in the June 20 draft.