David Kahn: Hire Don Nelson and Lawrence Frank to Start New Era in Minnesota

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached a stage where they, for the first time, in the David Kahn era may have a template set for their future as a franchise in the National Basketball Association.

With a projected starting lineup consisting of guards Ricky Rubio, Wesley Johnson, rookie small forward Derrick Williams, power forward Kevin Love and center Nikola Pekovic the Timberwolves fans may have something to look forward to this season. The one thing missing is an up-and-coming head coach or bringing in an experienced head coach who will work along with Kahn.

Now with former head coach Kurt Rambis out of Minnesota, Kahn should bring in Don Nelson, the Hall-of-Fame head coach with an impressive track record as a player and coach. Even though Nelson does not always like to play his younger players, he has done so in the past and taken his teams to the postseason. He appears to be the most qualified coach who is WILLING to go to Minnesota and see how things can be worked out.  

As of this moment the Timberwolves are still looking for coaching candidates and names have been circulated such as Larry Brown and even Lorenzo Romar from the University of Washington. Kahn said that he is looking for an “up-tempo” coach and that is one thing that Nelson is capable of.

Kahn should bring in Lawrence Frank who has coached the New Jersey Nets and spent time as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. He can learn under Nelson and then eventually take over the head coaching duties after Nelson leaves.

Kahn should sign him to a very short-term contract, even if he has to overpay him to come out of retirement but bring Nelson into town. It appears as if the basic pieces are set, but the Timberwolves still have work to do on their current roster, but that can only take place once the CBA is figured out which will hopefully occur sooner rather than later.  

This is an opportunity that Kahn should seriously look into.