Arnie Kander lands job with Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves hired Arnie Kander today as vice president of sports performance.

Kander spent the past 23 seasons with the Pistons, where he most recently held the title of physical therapist. He began with the Pistons in the spring of 1992 as the team’s first strength and conditioning coach.

“The Detroit Pistons have been a huge part of my extended family, and I’ll forever cherish the relationships and friendships that have been built both inside and outside the organization over the years,” Kander said in a released statement at the time of his Pistons departure in June.

“I’m also grateful to both Mr. (Bill) Davidson and Mr. (Tom) Gores for the opportunity and support they provided during my 23 years with the team. It’s been an incredible run filled with many great memories along the way. I look forward to spending time with my family and the next chapter life brings.”

He got to know Timberwolves president and coach Flip Saunders during Saunders’ coaching tenure in Detroit (2005-08).

Saunders currently is on leave while battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In Minnesota, Kander will be in charge of improving the health of a team that has struggled with injuries in recent seasons. Last season, Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, Kevin Martin, Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng all missed a lot of time as the team posted the worst record in the league (16-66).

Notes: A suspicious package caused the evacuation of the Palace of Auburn Hills this morning, according to Auburn Hills police. The package eventually was determined to be a homemade battery charger belonging to a contractor. ... Former Pistons executive John Hammond got a one-year extension on his contract as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks. He's now signed through 2016-17.