Timberwolves Connelly wastes no time hiring new VP Matt Lloyd

Looks like we will be seeing some new faces in the Minnesota Timberwolves front office. No, I’m not talking about new team president Tim Connelly. Rather, I’m referring to the latest news, that the team has hired former Orlando Magic executive Matt Lloyd as the new Minnesota Timberwolves Senior VP of Basketball Operations.

ESPN’s NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowki broke the story today:

As we had suggested, the Timberwolves’ focus this offseason could be hinted at by their choice of hires of executives. The team had considered both Lloyd and Miami Heat executive Adam Simon. Of the two, it appeared that Lloyd had the stronger draft success.

Timberwolves brain trust’s IQ just skyrocketed

The Minnesota Timberwolves had, have, and will have plenty of choices to make as the team tackles its first offseason roster rebuild guided by Connelly’s hand. We’ve been guessing so far on which avenue the Timberwolves might take this offseason: Will the team build quickly via NBA Free Agency? Or will the team adopt a slower, but perhaps greater upside by focusing on the draft?

By hiring Lloyd, the Timberwolves have assembled some of the best draft specialists in the NBA.

While that could mean good things for this team, building a winning roster through the NBA Draft is much like trying to earn your monthly income by playing the blackjack table in Las Vegas. The Timberwolves will be limited as to who is on the board when they select at 19, 40, 48, and 50. Of course, the Timberwolves could trade their picks, but only if they have a particularly highly regarded player on the board and a willing trade partner.

We will have more to say about this hire, but for us, we believe this is a strong showing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Clearly, the team is still adding some of the best in the NBA. Now, will these moves translate onto the basketball court?