Details of Timberwolves ownership shift should make fans feel more at ease

The Minnesota Timberwolves just endured a four-year ownership dispute between Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who fully took over the team last summer, and former owner Glen Taylor. It seems as though the Timberwolves can't escape ownership news, as Lore has shockingly sold his share of the team to Marc Stad for $4.5 billion. However, Stad is simply taking on a bigger role with the team, so it's actually not that big of a deal. 

Stad has quietly been a part of the Wolves' ownership group as the No. 3 in command, and now he moves up to the top shareholder. Likewise, Lore remains connected to the team in a more limited capacity. Per Jon Krawczynski, he is lessening his responsibilities to focus more on his business, Wonder.

To be clear, Rodriguez will remain a co-owner. The first thing that comes to mind with this news is that Stad better be equally committed to building a title winner as Lore was. It would be a nightmare if Stad wanted to cut costs and dodge the luxury tax every year. 

Thankfully, Stad's previous involvement with the organization should help ease these concerns to some degree. 

Marc Stad's familiarity with the Timberwolves should make this transition smooth

With the increasingly stringent tax penalties, ownership has become more important. Lore and Rodriguez proved they were committed to winning and spending big-time money. When Lore and Rodriguez were minority owners, they dipped into the second apron. And this summer they signed off on the LaMelo Ball trade, which significantly increased their payroll. 

Time and again, they've made it clear that they want to build a title winner. Since Stad was a part of this group, it's fair to assume that he shares this vision. Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic noted that this is the case. 

"Stad has been fully versed on the roster-building plans and the team’s long-term vision. That means that, about six weeks before training camp opens, there do not figure to be any major changes of the kind that can often come when ownership changes hands," Krawczynski wrote. 

Rodriguez remaining on board and Stad's familiarity with the team are promising signs. Likewise, this simply being a shift, not an overhaul, should help the Timberwolves avoid some of the understandable fears that come with an ownership change. 

As the Timberwolves try to build a title winner around Anthony Edwards, this shift comes at a vital time. Currently, the Timberwolves are narrowly below the second tax apron. While teams are treating this as a hard cap, remaining above the luxury tax threshold is often vital for most teams to win at the highest level.

With extensions looming for Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and Jaden McDaniels, spending big is something that Stad will have to be comfortable doing. 

The Timberwolves' need for a new arena is another big story here, and thankfully Stad is fully on board with this plan.

Something else to watch is what happens to Wolves president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly; Lore played a key role in signing Connelly four years ago. He has just one year left on his contract, though. Connelly has openly discussed how much he loves Minnesota, but it's worth wondering if Stad is willing to spend top dollar on an extension. 

Stad's willingness to spend big will be worth monitoring as he takes on this new role. Fortunately, though, Stad's familiarity with the team indicates he's on board with the vision of doing whatever it takes to bring a championship to Minnesota. 

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