A league source confirmed that Rambis traveled to meet with the Wolves, but it’s believed that no contract offer had been made as of Wednesday night.

Wolves basketball boss David Kahn last week said he hoped to have a contract offer firmed up with a candidate — Rambis and former NBA point guard and TV analyst Mark Jackson are considered the two finalists — before having him meet with team owner Glen Taylor. Houston assistant coach Elston Turner is considered a third choice.

Kahn is believed to have interviewed Rambis and Jackson for a second time in Los Angeles last week. He declined comment Wednesday night and said by text message, “I wouldn’t read anything into the no comment.”

It is not known whether Jackson is traveling, or has traveled, to meet with Wolves officials as well. A team spokesman said a news conference hasn’t been scheduled to announce a coach.

Kurt Rambis might be a head coach before many anticipated.

Long considered the heir apparent to Phil Jackson on the Lakers bench, the Los Angeles assistant might now be the leading candidate to coach the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Rambis was flying to Minnesota Wednesday morning to meet again with the Wolves. He has already had a second interview, but team owner Glen Taylor recently said that he will have to sign off on the hiring of a new coach.

Should this deal go down, I think the Wolves landed themselves a good and sensible hire.  Rambis did, in my opinion, a solid closing out a chaotic ’99 season after Del Harris was fired, acquitting himself about as well as could be expected from a rookie coach inheriting a talented but dysfunctional crew.  From there, he’s gone on to become respected and well-regarded (from everything I’ve ever read or understood) around the league as an important member of the Laker staff.  Yes, Rambis would be taking over a lousy team, but they’re a lousy team with two good pieces (Al Jefferson, Kevin Love), a few youngsters with potential (Jonny Flynn, a healthy Corey Brewer, Ricky Rubio?) and high draft picks certain to come.  And since there’s no pressure to win right away, the powers that be can afford to take a patient look at Rambis.
Minnesota Timberwolves president Chris Wright said that the NBA franchise has a great relationship with Mankato and Minnesota State University, and he’s always looking for way to enhance those partnerships.

Wright said the team will again hold its training camp in Mankato, arriving in town on Sept. 28 with the first practice the next day. To wrap up camp, on Oct. 5, the Timberwolves will host their first preseason game at Minnesota State, taking on the Milwaukee Bucks in Taylor Center, the building that holds owner Glen Taylor’s name.

“We know what that market means to Glen,” Wright said. “He loves having his players and his staff in his market. He loves being around training camp. It’s usually a really good time.”