The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Friday that they hired Milt Newton as general manager.
Newton will assist Flip Saunders, president of basketball operations, in evaluating and acquiring players, and managing all basketball operations. Newton spent the last 10 seasons with the Washington Wizards, most recently as the team’s vice president of player personnel.
“We are pleased to add Milt Newton to our organization,” Saunders said in a statement. “I have followed Milt closely during his career and have always been impressed with his basketball knowledge, work ethic and professionalism. His front office experience in the NBA, as well as his ability to combine analytics evaluation with his basketball playing and scouting background will greatly benefit our organization.”
Newton is credited with helping create the NBA Developmental League. He served as the NBADL director of player personnel for three years. He also spent one season as a scout with the Philadelphia 76ers and was the assistant director for the USA Basketball men’s national team programs from 1995-99.
“Milt possesses an extraordinary skill set that is a great fit for the Timberwolves organization,” commissioner David Stern said in a statement. “His exceptional work ethic and basketball acumen played a large role in the launch and success of the NBA Development League. I am extremely pleased for Milt and the Timberwolves who will no doubt benefit from the tremendous experience he brings to their front office.”
Newton started for the 1988 NCAA championship Kansas squad. He played professionally in the Continental Basketball Association for the Rockford Lightning and Grand Rapids Hoops.