The Minnesota Timberwolves have hired former Detroit Pistons physical therapist Arnie Kander to head their revamped athletic training staff.

The Wolves announced the appointment of Kander as vice president of sports performance on Monday. Kander spent 23 seasons with the Pistons and carved out a reputation as one of the most-respected physical therapists in the league.

He got to know Timberwolves president and coach Flip Saunders during Saunders’ coaching tenure in Detroit. Saunders is currently on leave from the Wolves while battling Hodgkin 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 big chunks of time as the team posted the worst record in the league.