Minnesota Timberwolves exec. Joe Branch returns to player rep

After the Minnesota Timberwolves hired their new President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, the team had been on a bit of a hiring spree in terms of adding executives to the front office. Since the new roles were given duties that were clearly being addressed, in part or whole, by other team executives before all of the new hires, it was only a matter of time before the front office began to see some former team staff start to depart.

That process is starting, as Minnesota Timberwolves Assistant General Manager Joe Branch is now reported to be leaving his administration role with the team and returning to player representation for BDA Sports and WME sports.

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While the path to an NBA front office position was a bit unique for Joe Branch, he has been one of the keys to turning the ship around since he was hired into his current role on September 25, 2019.  Now, less than three years later, Branch is returning to a similar role that he held before joining the Timberwolves organization.

He arrived at the Minnesota Timberwolves from the player representation firm of RocNation Sports. In his previous role, Branch was instrumental in building the firm’s basketball management business.

Branch has specialized in promoting player development, both on and off the basketball court. He continues to pursue ways to assist underprivileged youth, connecting young prospects with adult mentors who can help them navigate the tricky and sometimes confusing path from hooping in the neighborhood to landing an NBA contract.

Some may not see this as a loss. But no matter how you view the development, whether the soul, the vision, or simply the goodwill of the Minnesota Timberwolves organization, the loss of someone who is as generous and hard-working as Joe Branch is not something to gloss over.

Hopefully, the Timberwolves will be just as effective in his wake. Not just in terms of building an NBA Championship roster, but in touching the lives of so many young men who need that helping hand to find their way.

Best of luck to you, Joe Branch. You will be sorely missed.