Sources: Wolves finalizing deal with Saunders

Interim coach Ryan Saunders is finalizing a multi-year deal to become head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources told ESPN.

The deal is expected to be completed soon, perhaps as soon as Monday, sources told ESPN. Saunders is working on a staff.

New Timberwolves president of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas met with candidates at the Draft Combine but searched turned back to Saunders.

Saunders, 32, finished the Timberwolves season as interim coach after the mid-season firing of Tom Thibodeau and has earned the endorsement of All-Star center, Karl-Anthony Towns.

Saunders has made a strong impression on ownership and senior management, including Rosas, who has spent a dozen or so hours meeting with him since Rosas’ recent appointment to run the Wolves basketball operations.