The Minnesota Timberwolves may have stockpiled their front office with some very accomplished individuals, but they have already shown remarkable cohesion as they roll the dice on some risky moves.
Whenever there is a major transaction that happens with an NBA team, the likelihood that everyone is fully supportive of a high-risk, high-reward move is unlikely. Not everyone feels comfortable standing on the ledge, going all-in on a wager, or quitting a long-term job in the hope of finding something better down the road.
Some do and some don’t. And that’s okay.
But when the topic of the Minnesota Timberwolves high-risk high-stakes trade for NBA All-Star center Rudy Gobert came up earlier this month, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly reported that the ownership and the front office were all on the same page.
I asked Wolves' POBO Tim Connelly what it's like to have ownership that was just as excited as he was to make the Gobert move.
— Jack Borman (@jrborman13) July 7, 2022
"It was really neat to see that group kind of collectively get on the same page and share the same excitement level we had when we proposed the trade." pic.twitter.com/6VJ2QTDxT8
This trade was likely the first test of Tim Connelly’s ability to listen, lobby, and build a rapid consensus among all stakeholders. And he passed that first test with flying colors.
Of course, Connelly is still in his honeymoon period with the team and will remain there as long as his decisions help to improve the team. But that goodwill gets used up if the Timberwolves’ gamble for Gobert does not pan out as expected.
The team has this season to tweak the roster and work out any bugs that develop along the way. And if things do work out? Then you can expect more of the same next season.
Players are not the only ones who are under pressure. The front office and coaching staff are going to feel the pressure if things take a turn for the worst.