Report: Timberwolves moving closer to hiring coach Dave Joerger away from Grizzlies

Dave Joerger has been with the Grizzlies since he was hired as an assistant in 2007. (Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger is moving closer to becoming the head coach of the Timberwolves, who have made "significant progress" in their attempt to lure him away from Memphis, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein on Thursday, citing league sources.

Joerger, 40, is one of the league's hot young coaches, leading the Grizzlies to a 50-32 record and a seven-game series against the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs in his first season as a head coach. He is a Minnesota native and also went to college in Minnesota.

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Writes Stein: "Sources told ESPN.com that although compensation details with the Grizzlies have to be worked out, Minnesota's fast-moving bid to make Joerger its next coach is gathering momentum.

"The Wolves are restricted to offering draft picks and/or cash to Memphis to free Joerger from his contract with the Grizzlies."

The Wolves were given permission by the Grizzlies this week to interview Joerger, who views Wolves president and part-owner Flip Sauders a mentor, according to Stein.

Memphis nearly fired Joerger early this season due to owner Robert Pera's "dissatisfaction" with him, Stein reports.

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