Flip Saunders starts retooling Wolves scouting staff: Philo, Crawford among those let go

MINNEAPOLIS – Flip Saunders has started the restructuring expected when he took over as Minnesota Timberwolves president last week.

Saunders fired international scouting coordinator 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.