Minnesota Timberwolves to fire Rambis

MINNEAPOLIS, June 23 (UPI) -- Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis has been fired and the team is gathering information on possible replacements, NBA sources say.

While Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn has reportedly reached a decision to dismiss Rambis, the team has refused to confirm the move and a representative of Rambis said on Wednesday "we have yet to be contacted," the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.

The decision won't be announced until after Thursday night's NBA draft, sources said.

Rambis has two years and about $4 million remaining on a four-year contract.

Portland assistant Bernie Bickerstaff is seen as a leading candidate to replace Rambis, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

The Timberwolves were 32-132 in Rambis' two seasons as coach, going 17-65 last season, worst in the league.

At the end of the 2010-11 regular season Kahn refused to confirm whether Rambis would return, saying he wanted to evaluate Rambis and the coaching staff.