The Minnesota Timberwolves’ biggest rival in recent years has been the Denver Nuggets. When the Christmas Day schedule comes out any day now, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the two Northwest Division teams meet up for the second straight year on December 25.
Someone familiar with both teams would be Timberwolves president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly. Before joining Minnesota in May 2022, Connelly had spent nine years with Denver, first as the lead executive and later with the same title he currently holds with the Wolves.
This offseason has seen the Timberwolves make two moves involving Trey Lyles and Will Barton, both of whom Connelly is quite familiar with from his time with the Nuggets. Bones Hyland is another former player from Connelly's Nuggets tenure.
Will Barton will join Chris Finch's staff
On Monday, Charlie Walton of SI and Zone Coverage announced that Will Barton would be part of Minnesota’s coaching staff in a player-development role. Last season, Barton was an assistant coach for the Iowa Wolves after ending his playing career overseas.
The 35-year-old played 11 seasons in the NBA, with the majority of that time coming in Denver. At the 2015 trade deadline, when Connelly was the Nuggets’ GM, Denver acquired Barton in a multiplayer trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. Barton remained with the Nuggets through 2021–22, which was also the last season Connelly was employed by the team. Twice with Denver, Barton finished fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Barton will help replace the two assistants who are no longer part of Chris Finch’s staff. Micah Nori is now the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Max Lefevre is heading to France to become the head coach of Paris Basketball.
Trey Lyles back in the NBA after a year of playing overseas
Last month, the Timberwolves signed the 6-foot-9 Lyles to a one-year deal. It was a surprise to many fans since the 30-year-old spent last season overseas, but he had played the previous 10 years in the NBA.
Selected 12th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, Lyles was acquired by Denver while Connelly was the GM. During the 2017 NBA Draft, Lyles was traded by the Utah Jazz, along with the 24th pick (Tyler Lydon), for the 13th selection (Donovan Mitchell). Of course, this transaction is remembered as a major blunder.
Lyles played two seasons with the Nuggets, averaging 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds. Connelly went with familiarity to help fill the team’s power forward void. Between Lyles, Barton, and Hyland, it's clear that Connelly has loyalty for players he has a previous connection with.
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