MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves hired former Washington Wizards executive Milt Newton as general manager Friday, with new president of basketball operations Flip Saunders tabbing a familiar face to help him reshape the franchises front office. Newton spent the previous 10 years with the Wizards, most recently serving as vice-president of player personnel. He worked closely with Saunders when Saunders was the head coach for the Wizards, and quickly became a prime candidate to make the move to Minnesota when Saunders took over this summer for the fired David Kahn. "I have followed Milt closely during his career and have always been impressed with his basketball knowledge, work ethic and professionalism," Saunders said in a statement issued by the team. "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." Saunders will continue to have final say on all organizational issues with the Wolves. But Newton will help with scouting, salary cap management, trade talks and other personnel issues. Rob Babcock also is expected to receive a greater role in scouting and personnel decisions as Saunders works to install some infrastructure in the basketball operations department. Kahn spent the last two years of his four-year stay in Minnesota without an official general manager. The lack of a defined structure beneath Kahn in the front office led to confusion and inefficiency at times, and Saunders said when he was hired that establishing a more organized staff was one of his priorities. Newton got in on the ground floor while the NBA Development League was established, something that appealed to Saunders, who takes great pride in his time as a coach and executive in the old CBA. Newton, whose wife went to high school in the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka, also has worked for the Philadelphia 76ers and USA Basketball. "Milt possesses an extraordinary skill set that is a great fit for the Timberwolves organization," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement issued by the Wolves. "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." Lakers Jerseys 2020 . Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed on Sunday that his starting goalie has a head injury and the team will take it day by day. Custom Los Angeles Lakers Jerseys . The 33-year-old Spaniard, who held the lead since the second round, turned in a solid final round that featured six birdies and two bogeys to finish on 22-under 266. 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Signed this offseason after spending eight seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones-Drew joins a backfield in Oakland that features former fourth-overall pick Darren McFadden, as well as Latavius Murray, Jeremy Stewart, rookie George Atkinson and former CFL standout Kory Sheets. Jones-Drew rushed for 803 yards on 234 carries in 15 games with the Jaguars in 2013. Exiting for Personal Reasons Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is expected to miss the first four days of training camp for personal reasons. Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports that Thomas attended the teams camp-opening meeting but was then excused by coach John Fox to attend the funeral services of the grandmother who helped raise him in Georgia. Thomas led the Broncos with 92 catches for 1430 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2013. He also set a Super Bowl record with 13 catches in the Broncos loss to the Seattle Seahawks. ' ' '