The Timberwolves have registered interest in extending the contract of president basketball operations Tim Connelly, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
Scotto reported last week that Minnesota was hoping to sign Connelly to a new deal. His current contract will expire in 2027.
Connelly, a longtime Nuggets executive, was hired by the Timberwolves in 2022. Minnesota has made the Western Conference finals each of the past two years and advanced to the second round of this year’s playoffs last week when it eliminated Denver for the second time in three seasons.
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch congratulated Bryson Graham — his former colleague in New Orleans — for landing the Bulls‘ head of operations job, but admits he was pulling for Wolves GM Matt Lloyd, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link). “Congrats to Bryson Graham,” Finch said. “I worked with Bryson in New Orleans for a number of years. He’s a class act and an outstanding talent evaluator. I’m sure he will be a great pick for the Bulls. … Gunning for Matt. He’s one of the best executives I’ve ever worked with anywhere I’ve been. He’s an absolute rock star when it comes to that, from running processes to connecting with people in the building, to positivity to leadership, to being able to manage up and down. It’s only a matter of time until he gets his chance, I’m convinced of it. These are really hard jobs to get, highly coveted. Lots of things go into them. We’re fortunate to have him here and he’s been a huge part of our success.”
- The Jazz plan to add Ben Gonzalez to their front office, according to Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 (Twitter link). Gonzalez is currently the director of basketball operations at the University of Georgia.
- Regardless of where their pick lands in next week’s draft lottery, Jazz fans have something to look forward to next season, since the team will no longer be prioritizing draft positioning, writes Sarah Todd of The Deseret News.
Big ups to TWolves man. Never expected this. Big time.
Yeah Al! That was a good one. Amazing dynamics going on in that game. That was the best game of the playoffs.
SA went four smalls and Wemby and the counter was Randle and Reid crashing – without Rudy. Checkmate.
But Wolves made some shots too! Randle was huge.
I think we got a series.
Not sure about that. No Donte and AE, Ayo banged up. It will be very tough. I wish they were 100%.
Says a lot they came to play.
I’d put the chances at 55/45 in favor of SA. But SA looked shook at the end of that one. And even if Ant was playing hurt, he still cooked some fools out there. I’d love to know what Keldon Johnson was trying to say after he got worked.
SA needs to send Wemby to the paint. Not as a post, but on lobs. He’s unstoppable when he catches the ball on the run within 10 feet of the rim.
Spurs should be able to pull this out. Yes I agree Wemby should be inside more. Without Rudy they can’t stop him. I don’t understand why bigs don’t post anymore. Not like you have to plant yourself there like Shaq. You can go inside outside. It’s like they don’t want the physicality. One thing I hate about Towns. Spurs better wake up. They are still growing up in playoffs lol. You gotta close teams out.
This is the Wembanyama and the Spurs season to get that playoff experience. Even with Edwards hobbled and two members of their guard rotation out the Wolves went into San Antonio and took care of business. The Wolves won 2 of 3 against the Spurs in the regular season and they’ll take this series in 6. Back to the WCF for the 3rd consecutive season.