Rick Adelman nearly walked away from coaching last offseason and sources say he's convinced more than a few people in team circles that he'll opt out of the final season of his deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Adelman is 67 and his wife has been dealing with a persistent illness.

Fred Hoiberg is widely regarded as the most NBA-ready coach in college and he was an executive with the Wolves for four years before leaving for Iowa State. There is growing buzz coming out of Minnesota that the team will pursue Hoiberg if Adelman leaves.