Timberwolves to unveil banner for Flip Saunders on Feb. 15

The Minnesota Timberwolves will honor late head coach Flip Saunders in an upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Minnesota announced plans Tuesday to unveil a banner for Saunders when the Timberwolves play the Lakers on Feb. 15 as part of "Flip Saunders Night."

In addition to the banner, the team will give away commemorative coins - a gesture Saunders made during his time with the club to make players, executives, and fans feel included.

"Flip meant so much to our organization as a coach, but he meant so much more to all of us as a friend," Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement. "His impact on our organization and what he meant to the Minnesota basketball community is something that will always be with us. It is appropriate that we honor the man who meant so much to us with a banner in our home arena that will forever fortify his memory."

Saunders made two stops in Minnesota over his career. He coached the team for 11 seasons between 1995-2005, leading it to its first and only taste of playoff success. He returned to the organization in 2013 to oversee basketball operations, and named himself coach for the 2014-15 season.

He died at the age of 60 in 2015 due to Hodgkin's lymphoma.