This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Former Jazz assistant and executive Scott Layden is engaged in "serious talks" to become the next general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday.

The Wolves are trying to replace the late Flip Saunders and, according to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, the team is looking toward former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau to become the team's new head coach and president of basketball operations, with Layden filling the role of general manager.

Layden started his NBA career with the Jazz in the 1980s, working as a scout, assistant coach and director of player personnel. After a stint as the general manager of the New York Knicks, Layden returned to Utah in 2005 as an assistant coach.

Layden is currently the assistant general manager in San Antonio.

In Minnesota, Layden would be managing a roster that includes some of the league's most intriguing young talents, including center Karl-Anthony Towns and forward Andrew Wiggins.

— Aaron Falk