Tim Connley

[Lipoli390]

By the way, I actually think this is going to happen. I was skeptical at first, thinking the Denver would step up with a matching offer as they did in 2017 when the Wizards made Connelly and offer. But with the news that Connelly is coming here to meet with Taylor, I think it's going to happen.

My sense of the way the Wolves front office works is that Lore (and maybe A-Rod) negotiate and approve all the details of major moves (hiring/firings, etc.) and then the matter goes to Glen Taylor for a final thumbs up or down. That appears to be what happened with the firing of Rosas. So I suspect the deal is done, subject to Taylor's final sign-off. I don't think it would get to this point if Denver were going to come through with a similar or matching counter offer.

[Phenom]

I just listened. Might not be the best negotiator, might tend to overpay players. Probably needs some guys in his corner to help with trades and salary mechanics. If Gupta were to stay on as general manager, it would be a grand slam, IMO.

Thanks for the overview. I agree with you, from that description, keeping Gupta as our #2 would be really important. I give Rosas credit for bringing in Gupta. Rosas was similar to Connelly in that he was more of a basketball guy with a scouting background than a business guy. Credit Rosas for understanding his own limitations and bringing in an analytically smart MIT grad, Gupta. But I'm afraid that Gupta would get an offer for a top job somewhere else - possibly Denver. No doubt that Gupta would take such an opportunity if offered. If Gupta were to leave, the Wolves would have to find a solid business/financial negotiator type to replace him. Not Scott Layden!! I would, of course, offer my services. :)

If you get the job Lip I'll be your admin assistant/coffee runner

[Lipoli390]

I just listened. Might not be the best negotiator, might tend to overpay players. Probably needs some guys in his corner to help with trades and salary mechanics. If Gupta were to stay on as general manager, it would be a grand slam, IMO.

Thanks for the overview. I agree with you, from that description, keeping Gupta as our #2 would be really important. I give Rosas credit for bringing in Gupta. Rosas was similar to Connelly in that he was more of a basketball guy with a scouting background than a business guy. Credit Rosas for understanding his own limitations and bringing in an analytically smart MIT grad, Gupta. But I'm afraid that Gupta would get an offer for a top job somewhere else - possibly Denver. No doubt that Gupta would take such an opportunity if offered. If Gupta were to leave, the Wolves would have to find a solid business/financial negotiator type to replace him. Not Scott Layden!! I would, of course, offer my services. :)

If you get the job Lip I'll be your admin assistant/coffee runner

Lol. I like my coffee with maple syrup and soy milk. :)

[TAFKASP]

I just listened. Might not be the best negotiator, might tend to overpay players. Probably needs some guys in his corner to help with trades and salary mechanics. If Gupta were to stay on as general manager, it would be a grand slam, IMO.

Thanks for the overview. I agree with you, from that description, keeping Gupta as our #2 would be really important. I give Rosas credit for bringing in Gupta. Rosas was similar to Connelly in that he was more of a basketball guy with a scouting background than a business guy. Credit Rosas for understanding his own limitations and bringing in an analytically smart MIT grad, Gupta. But I'm afraid that Gupta would get an offer for a top job somewhere else - possibly Denver. No doubt that Gupta would take such an opportunity if offered. If Gupta were to leave, the Wolves would have to find a solid business/financial negotiator type to replace him. Not Scott Layden!! I would, of course, offer my services. :)

If you get the job Lip I'll be your admin assistant/coffee runner

Lol. I like my coffee with maple syrup and soy milk. :)

You're fired.

[Q-is-here]

I just listened. Might not be the best negotiator, might tend to overpay players. Probably needs some guys in his corner to help with trades and salary mechanics. If Gupta were to stay on as general manager, it would be a grand slam, IMO.

Thanks for the overview. I agree with you, from that description, keeping Gupta as our #2 would be really important. I give Rosas credit for bringing in Gupta. Rosas was similar to Connelly in that he was more of a basketball guy with a scouting background than a business guy. Credit Rosas for understanding his own limitations and bringing in an analytically smart MIT grad, Gupta. But I'm afraid that Gupta would get an offer for a top job somewhere else - possibly Denver. No doubt that Gupta would take such an opportunity if offered. If Gupta were to leave, the Wolves would have to find a solid business/financial negotiator type to replace him. Not Scott Layden!! I would, of course, offer my services. :)

If you get the job Lip I'll be your admin assistant/coffee runner

Lol. I like my coffee with maple syrup and soy milk. :)

You're fired.

KAT probably likes his coffee like that too.....

Thibs used to take his coffee black - Folgers baby - out of a big vat and served in 100% pure styrofoam cups.

[Lipoli390]

Just finished listening to the Dane Moore Podcast with Adam. It was a great interview that provided lots of interesting insights into Connelly. If you listen to it, I guarantee your desire for the Wolves to hire him will increase. Adam identified Connelly's main strengths as (1) scouting/drafting/low-level acquisition; and (2) culture. He mentioned his weaknesses as big trades, negotiating and the business end of things. He mentioned Denver signing Faried to an illegal contract as an example.

Here are some of the highlights:

1. STRENGTHS: Connelly's strengths are scouting/drafting/low-level acquisitions and culture. His tenure in Denver essentially started when he drafted Nurkic, Garry Harris and Jokic in the 2014 draft at ##16, 19 and 41. It doesn't get much more impressive than that. He also drafted Morris in the low second round and Morris has become a quality starter. He traded Afflalo for Will Barton when Afflalo was clearly the better player. Again, great evaluator of potential. Dozier was another quality acquisition. Regarding culture, he's a super nice guy and becomes close to everyone in the organization. He has front office colleagues, coaches and players over to his house for example. Adam gave Connelly and A+ on culture, A+ on drafting and A on low-level trades. Adam gave Connell mixed reviews on big trades. He pointed to the Nurkic trade as a bad one where Connelly gave up Nurkic and a 1st-round pick for Plumlee. But he gave him high marks for his deal to get Aron Gordon, which also brought back a 1st round pick in exchange for Harris and Hampton. He said he tends to pay to much too soon and hold onto players too long. Examples were giving Murray and Porter Jr. max deals before he had to. Another example he gave was paying Plumlee too much and waiting too long to trade Beasley who probably had higher value if traded a year or two sooner.

2. FIT WITH FINCH: His personality and approach will align much better with Finch than with Malone. Connelly is a very open-minded, flexible thinker like Finch, whereas Malone is very traditional, intense and rigid. As an example, Adam noted that Denver let Hartensten go because Malone didn't like him. Apparently Malone didn't like him because Hartenstein is a bit of an odd personality that didn't fit Malone's rigid notion of what a player should be like. Connelly liked Hartenstein, which is why he brought him to Denver in the first place. Adam said that Finch would have likely aligned with Connelly on Hartenstein and would have kept him.

3. OVERALL APPROACH: Connelly sets the tone and makes personnel decisions, using his scouting and talent evaluation skills. He works with a small group of trusted people who speak honestly to one another. He doesn't micromanage the coaching staff or dictate style of play. He leaves that to the coaches. He's not very process oriented. Very fluid. For example, he and his front office colleagues/scouts might call one another at 3:00 a.m. to bounce around an idea.

4. Adam thinks Connelly would hit it off really well with Ant. He sees to two as very similar in that they are both authentic - no BS, not rigid or phony.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Okay, but what is Tim Connelly's Chinese zodiac? Is he a monkey or a dragon? Does his zodiac match any of the Timberwolves top players? Let's start asking the important questions here.

[Q-is-here]

Okay, but what is Tim Connelly's Chinese zodiac? Is he a monkey or a dragon? Does his zodiac match any of the Timberwolves top players? Let's start asking the important questions here.

:)

[kekgeek]

Fantastic write up lip!

I will say I don't even think the Murray and MJP early extensions are that bad. Obviously MJP extension looks bad but pretend MJP hit RFA this offseason I think he might get the max anyways or pretty close to it

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Tim Connelly to the Timberwolves is done. Alex Rodriguez shared a picture on his Instagram story with his tablet on his desk in frame with a press release entitled "Minnesota Timberwolves Name Tim Connelly as President of Basketball Operations" pulled up. I highly doubt this was done by accident as I believe this was intended to provoke excitement from the fans. The post has since been deleted. Get ready for some very good news soon.