Report: Rambis to coach the Timberwolves?

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis has flown to Minneapolis for an interview for the vacant Timberwolves job, the Los Angeles Times said.

The newspaper said Rambis, 51, has had two interviews with the Timberwolves and likely will get the job.

He also was a candidate for vacancies in Sacramento and Philadelphia.

The Minnesota post opened on June 17 when the team's new president of basketball operations, David Kahn, and owner Glen Taylor fired Kevin McHale.

The Timberwolves finished the 2008-09 season with a 24-58 record last season and missed the playoffs a fifth straight year.

Rambis played with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1980s when the Lakers won four NBA titles -- 1981-82, 1984-85, 1986-87 and 1987-88.

He played for the Lakers nine seasons and was their interim coach in 1999 (25-13) after Del Harris was fired.