MINNEAPOLIS – The NBA playoffs are back in full swing and the leaders of the league are riding that momentum. Minnesota Timberwolves They are determined to lift a franchise which has languished among the worst of the league.
Tim Connelly is their first big catch. They expect others to follow.
Connelly was officially introduced Tuesday as the president of basketball operations. Connelly had been in the role for nine seasons with the team. Denver Nuggets. “It’s hoped word will spread that this is the place you’ll be if your desire to be treated well.”
Connelly agreed last Wednesday to a five-year, $40 million contractAccording to sources, the Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor confirmed that there are bonuses for team performance. Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore are working to buy the club incrementally from Taylor. They made it a priority of aggressively pursuing one of the most accomplished and respected NBA leaders.
“We have total confidence and trust in Tim and he will be empowered to build an elite, world-class company. Lore concluded with a complete stop.
Taylor, 81 years old, initiated the sale of the property in 2021 in the hope of being a mentor to the new owners. He plans to complete the purchase in 2023.
Lore stated that they feel like they’ve made smart decisions as a group. “We feel great about our partnership, where we are now and where it is going,” Lore said.
Connelly left behind the Nuggets team which has won back-to-back NBA MVPs. Nikola JokicThe roster was still promising, with a record of 48-34 in the regular-season — two games ahead the Timberwolves — and without any injured standouts Jamal Murray Michael Porter Jr. Connelly also had the responsibility of moving his young family.
“I wasn’t looking for it. It was a wonderful opportunity that presented itself to me. Connelly shared that the past nine years have been some of the most fulfilling professional years of my life. “When you have sleepless nights, you can dig deeper within yourself and be more introspective to see if it’s something that you really want to do. It takes a leap of faith.
With Karl-Anthony Towns Anthony Edwards The Timberwolves emerged as elite players, and Chris Finch was praised for his coaching in his first full season as coach. 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies Hardly six games were played in the first round.
Minnesota was also the first team to lose multiple games in a series that featured a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. This happened a remarkable three times.
Connelly stated, “I hope that we continue to build and develop a winning foundation,” It’s not all about the weather. It’s not about being in some flashier markets. “You’re here to win, to get treated fairly, and to have lots of fun.”
Connelly is now the seventh person to supervise the basketball side in nine years since Flip Saunders’ second run. Milt Newton was the interim coach for Saunders’ final season, which was in 2015. Tom Thibodeau took over the role of head coach and executive.
Scott Layden was appointed interim replacement for Thibodeau, who was fired midway through 2018-19 season. Gersson Rosas had been hired three years ago. However, he was fired after just one year. sudden dismissalSachin Gupta was given the charge. Connelly is expecting him to stay in the front desk.
Finch was an assistant to the Nuggets from 2016-17 until he was hired by the New Orleans Pelicans. Connelly called him “Finchy,” during Tuesday’s news conference — a sign of their relationship and the relative security Finch will enjoy under the new boss.
“He has great confidence in us, what we’re doing here, him in particular, and has many existing relationships with people in this office and on staff. Finch explained that it always helps. He cares about people first and foremost. Takes himself seriously. “Fits right in our culture.”