The Minnesota Timberwolves are planning to open a search for a new president of basketball operations, although owner Glen Taylor prefers to keep general manager Scott Layden and interim coach Ryan Saunders as part of a revised organizational structure, league sources told ESPN.

The Timberwolves are hopeful to award Saunders a multiyear deal as coach, sources said.

Once completed, Saunders is likely to get a three-year deal with a team option on the final season, sources said.

Layden has successfully sold himself to ownership as a front-office executive independent of the foibles by his past boss, Tom Thibodeau, sources said. Minnesota will survey the marketplace for possible front-office executives to place above Layden.

Layden survived the purge of Thibodeau in early January. Thibodeau had served as Minnesota's president and coach for two-plus years. Layden was previously a GM with the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks.

Saunders, 32, is the youngest head coach in the league. He has earned the endorsement of franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns.