It had already been a long and difficult season when Flip Saunders walked into the coaches’ office at Target Center on Feb. 6, 2015, with a big smile on his face.



The Wolves had just beaten the Memphis Grizzlies to improve to 10-40 on the year. But it was their second win in a row, the first time they had accomplished that feat all season long. As usual, Flip seized the opportunity.



It’s Friday night. Everyone get out of here. Go see your families. Go have a nice dinner or get a drink. No practice tomorrow. Don’t worry about the scout for the Pistons on Sunday. Enjoy this one.



Suddenly, Ryan Saunders, then a single, 28-year-old assistant coach on his father’s staff, had a Friday night to himself. He met up with a few buddies and walked a couple of blocks down to Mason’s bar on the corner of 6th Street and Hennepin Avenue for a little relaxation.



He mingled with some friends, said hello to a few Wolves fans who recognized...