Minnesota Timberwolves proprietor Glen Taylor to fulfill with Tim Connelly in continued pursuit of Denver Nuggets president, sources say

Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly is touring to fulfill with Minnesota Timberwolves proprietor Glen Taylor this weekend within the subsequent step within the crew’s pursuit to rent Connelly and make him one of many NBA’s highest-compensated executives, sources informed ESPN.

Connelly has mentioned the job extensively with Timberwolves minority homeowners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez up to now week, and assembly with Taylor is subsequent within the course of, sources mentioned.

Connelly has lengthy professed his affinity and devotion to the Western Convention contender and group that he has constructed with the Nuggets, however he may change into the second consecutive high basketball government to depart the Nuggets for a considerably extra profitable supply elsewhere. Connelly changed Masai Ujiri in 2013 when Ujiri left Denver for Toronto.

Connelly has constructed a popularity as one of many NBA’s finest expertise evaluators and deal-makers, sustaining robust relationships with high participant brokers and the respect of his front-office friends. He has a robust relationship with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, whom Connelly drafted with the 41st choose of the 2014 NBA draft. Jokic is eligible for a contract extension this summer season.

Lore — who’s poised to take over majority possession from Taylor in 2023 — has recruited Connelly and made a case for his or her partnership, sources mentioned. Connelly has additionally remained in common contact with Nuggets governor Josh Kroenke, sources mentioned, and Minnesota obtained permission to debate the job with Connelly.

Minnesota has an interim normal supervisor, Sachin Gupta, in place after the preseason dismissal of Gersson Rosas.

Connelly turned down a chance to change into the Washington Wizards‘ high basketball government three years in the past, selecting to stay with the Nuggets. Connelly grew up in Baltimore and spent the primary a number of years of his front-office profession with Washington.

He has spent 9 years constructing the Nuggets right into a Western Convention contender, though accidents short-circuited the franchise up to now two seasons after a run to the Western finals in 2020.

The Timberwolves reached the playoffs this season, shedding to Memphis in six video games in an opening-round sequence. Minnesota has a younger core of expertise — together with 2020 No. 1 choose Anthony Edwards and All-Star middle Karl-Anthony Towns — who may make the franchise formidable for years to return.