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Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach David Vanterpool interviewed for a spot on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ coaching staff, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. It’s important to note that the interview wasn’t for head coach — Minnesota signed interim head coach Ryan Saunders to a multiyear contract this summer — which Vanterpool had several interviews for previously this offseason.
Veteran assistant coaches Chad Forcier (Memphis) and David Vanterpool (Portland) are among the candidates who have interviewed for spots on Ryan Saunders' coaching staff in Minnesota, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 5, 2019
The Portland assistant interviewed with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and these same Wolves for each team’s respective head-coaching vacancy — all have been filled since then.
Current Blazers head coach Terry Stotts just signed an extension with the team that lasts until 2022. A move to Minnesota could provide a better chance at a head-coaching shot for Vanterpool given Stotts’ extension and the pressure on Saunders coming off an interim stint (the Wolves went 17-25 with Saunders as interim head coach).