Report: Timberwolves consider Del Negro

Former Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro is a serious candidate for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ vacancy, ESPN.com reported Thursday.

Sources told ESPN.com that Del Negro, who is also being considered for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ job, was spotted last week interviewing with Timberwolves president and part-owner Flip Saunders.

The development comes after the collapse of Minnesota’s talks with Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger.

There was speculation that Minnesota would turn to co-finalist and former Wolves forward Sam Mitchell after Grizzlies owner Robert Pera unexpectedly talked Joerger into staying in Memphis with a new contract.

ESPN.com reported that Del Negro made a strong impression on the Wolves in their talks to replace the retiring Rick Adelman

Del Negro was fired by Clippers’ after a first-round exit in 2013 despite winning 57 games during the regular season. Del Negro has a career mark of 210-184 before being replaced in Chicago and Los Angeles by Tom Thibodeau and Doc Rivers, respectively.

The Timberwolves also interviewed former NBA head coaches Lionel Hollins and Scott Skiles. ESPN analyst George Karl has also publicly expressed interest in the job.