Pistons to hire Saunders; Knicks try to lure Brown

Flip Saunders reached an agreement Wednesday to become the new coach of the Detroit Pistons, who wasted no time replacing Larry Brown.

The hiring of Saunders, the former coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, was confirmed by an NBA Eastern Conference official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team planned to announce the deal at a news conference today.

Following talks between Pistons team president Joe Dumars and Saunders' agent, the deal was finalized early Wednesday evening.

The Detroit News reported Saunders will receive a four-year contract worth between $4 million and $5 million per season.

Saunders' agent, Mark Termini, did not immediately return phone calls.

The appointment comes just one day after the Pistons finalized their severance agreement with Brown, who led Detroit to the NBA Finals in each of the past two seasons.

Saunders was due to make more than $5 million in the upcoming season from the Timberwolves, who fired him in February.

Saunders had the second-longest tenure among NBA coaches before he was fired. In 9 1/2 seasons with Minnesota, Saunders had a record of 411-326.

Brown to New York?

Brown guided the Pistons to the NBA championship in 2004 and came one victory away from repeating this year. Throughout the season, Brown -- who underwent hip replacement surgery that led to a problem with his bladder -- insisted he would return to the Pistons if doctors deemed him healthy enough.

Brown had three years remaining on a five-year, $25 million contract, and reportedly received $5 million in his severance package.

Brown has already been contacted by New York Knicks president Isiah Thomas, who plans to meet with Brown in the coming days to gauge his interest in replacing interim coach Herb Williams.

"They talked last night and agreed to meet in person in the next few days," Knicks spokesman Joe Favorito said. The New York Daily News reported Wednesday that the Knicks were prepared to offer Brown as much as $60 million over five years.

"It's too soon to have any discussions along those lines. The ink hasn't even dried yet [on his severance package from the Pistons]," said Brown's longtime agent, Joe Glass.