Here’s an analysis piece I wrote for Monday’s paper and what I know as the Wolves search for Kevin McHale’s successor as basketball boss continues:

 http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/43257717.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

Glen Taylor today told me he hasn’t extended an offer yet and is finishing up his final research work. Usually unable not to give you an answer to a direct question, he refused to comment on what I’ve been hearing from people in the league.

I’ve been hearing the names of Spurs VP/assistant GM Dennis Lindsey and Cleveland assistant GM Lance Blanks prominently.

Both have apprenticed with the Spurs, known for their front-office smarts in winning four NBA titles and making such astute draft selections as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

The Spurs hired Lindsey two summers ago to replace wunderkind Sam Presti — whom Seattle hired at the age of 30 to run their basketball operations and with pretty impressive results so far — after he spent 11 years with Houston, the last five as VP of basketball operations/player personnel.

The Wolves received permission from the Spurs, have talked to him and late in the week seemed to be doing their follow-up due diligence on him.  He’s definitely on their short list.

Blanks is the guy I’m getting conflicting information about. Two sources have said they believe he’s a finalist along with Lindsey and just might be the favorite. But Cavs GM Danny Ferry told the Cleveland Plain Dealer Saturday that the Wolves haven’t formally asked for permission to talk with Blanks, who spent five years with the Spurs as scout, scouting director and TV analyst and came with Ferry from San Antonio when Cleveland hired Ferry to run the show there in 2005.

Who, and what, to believe?

As I wrote in the analysis, that Taylor seems focus on hiring from outside the organization seems to signal that McHale won’t be back as coach. I just think to get the candidate he wants, Taylor’s going to have to promise the guy that he can tackle this big job with a clean slate and not McHale’s presence looming over him.

I’m guessing the Wolves will announce something probably not this coming week, but sometime next week.

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