According to Yahoo! Sports, the Minnesota Timberwolves have fired head coach Kurt Rambis after two years of leading the team, compiling a 32-132 record.
The Timberwolves will make the announcement official after the draft on Thursday but they part ways with Rambis with two years left on his original four-year contract. The Timberwolves went 17-65 this past season under Rambis’ leadership but are in a rebuilding phase that calls for a complete overhaul of the team.
Rambis’ relationship with players had been a rocky one. Team owner David Kahn wanted Rambis to become a better communicator while opening up the offense for the arrival of Ricky Rubio and whoever they choose with the 2nd pick in the draft. Kahn reportedly requested that Rambis file a written report on changes he would make to improve the Timberwolves, but apparently didn’t like what he saw.
Rambis will not attend the draft on Thursday for the Timberwolves and Kahn is already looking for a replacement. Rambis was also a player, winning four championships with the Lakers before becoming the head coach of the Lakers in 1999 and an assistant from 2002-2009.