May 8, 2013, 4:45 PM
MINNEAPOLIS — Flip Saunders has started the restructuring expected when he took over as Minnesota Timberwolves president last week.
Saunders fired international scouting co-ordinator Pete Philo, regional scout Curtis Crawford and Will Conroy on Tuesday. The moves were made as Saunders clears room to get a staff together for next month’s draft.
Philo was instrumental in ushering in a new focus on foreign players. He helped land point guard Ricky Rubio, guard Alexey Shved and put the Timberwolves at the forefront of that growing trend. He also played a key role on draft night.
Crawford is a close friend of Brandon Roy’s and was moved into a scouting position after he did not make the team last training camp.