Timberwolves clean house, fire 9 front office and basketball staff

The Tom Thibodeau era is officially underway in the Twin Cities, as the Minnesota Timberwolves announced the dismissal of nine front office executives, assistant coaches, and basketball support staff on Friday.

Among those relieved of their duties were previous general manager Milt Newton, vice president Rob Babcock, vice president of sports performance Arnie Kander, and assistant coach Sidney Lowe. Thibodeau was named president and head coach of the team April 20.

It had been previously reported that Newton would remain with the team at least through the June 23 draft. Babcock had spent the last 10 years with the Timberwolves after an ill-fated tenure as general manager of the Toronto Raptors. Lowe, a former head coach in Minnesota and with the Memphis Grizzlies, had been an assistant with the Wolves since 2014.