NBA Rumors: Timberwolves exec search focuses on Tim Connelly

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been flirting with a reorganization that could install someone over the current Timberwolves’ executive vice president, Sachin Gupta. For now, Gupta is the team executive who continues to oversee basketball operations. On top of that, Gupta remains in the running to remain in the running for overall decision-making for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Gupta has been quite the stabilizing force since taking over from President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas, who was unceremoniously released from the position. it was that move to sever ties with Rosas that ultimately led to the infamous tweet by T-Wolves star center Karl Anthony Towns:

In the aftermath, the team decided to hire Gupta, who was previously serving as the assistant GM for the Detroit Pistons,  for the interim role of Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, while simultaneously casting a larger net and executive search for a more permanent replacement. Rosas has since become a consultant with the New York Knicks.  The Timberwolves executive search appeared to be temporarily on hiatus.

Headhunters head to Denver

Now, that search appears to be gaining some traction, as some of the top names in the NBA have been linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But some reports indicate that the Minnesota Timberwolves are now in serious talks with Denver Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly. But luring a basketball executive from a successful NBA team to another NBA team is an expensive undertaking. The fact is that Connelly has established himself as a highly effective NBA executive with the Nuggets. To acquire that effectiveness for the Timberwolves, the price will be a significant pay increase:

Is this moving in the right direction for the Timberwolves? Or is this narrative leaked by Connely’s camp in the interest of poking the Nuggets to respond by upping the ante on his current contract to remain with them?

The timing of these developments is a bit late in the process, as the 2022 NBA Draft is currently scheduled to be held on June 23, 2022. That leaves just one month for any incoming President of Basketball Operations, who will undoubtedly have a significant, if not the final, say in who the Minnesota Timberwolves draft. That individual will also be the forerunner in establishing repoire with other NBA teams in any potential trades to improve the T-Wolves roster.

Are things truly heating up? Or is there an alternate agenda in the sudden public reporting of this news? Stay tuned.