Wolves finalzing deal to hire new executive VP of basketball operations

Timberwolves President Gersson Rosas is continuing his makeover of the team's staff and front office.

Sachin Gupta, an assistant general manager with the Pistons, has agreed to a deal to join the Wolves as executive vice president of basketball operations, a source confirmed to the Star Tribune. A source added the deal was not quite complete as of Tuesday night.

Gupta brings with him an impressive résumé, especially for fans who might be analytically inclined.

Gupta worked with Rosas in Houston, where Gupta worked as a special adviser before joining the Pistons. Gupta also served under former General Manager Sam Hinkie with the 76ers and has gained a reputation for his analytics background (he went to MIT and Stanford), his ability to negotiate trades and maneuver around the salary cap. Gupta is also the inventor of ESPN's popular trade machine, a feature on the company's website that allows fans to dream up prospective trades and see if they meet league rules.

Gupta's impending arrival comes on the heels of a busy few weeks for Rosas. He decided to retain Ryan Saunders as coach while bringing in Nets director of global scouting Gianluca Pascucci to be assistant GM. Pascucci and Rosas also crossed paths in Houston.

The Timberwolves also are not bringing back a number of assistant coaches and staff members who had expiring contracts. They included assistants Larry Greer, Ed Pinckney and Jerry Sichting, player development coach John Lucas III and special assistant to the president/player development coach Daisuke Yoshimoto.

CHRIS HINE