Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly reportedly has an opt-out in his contract. Amid an ownership dispute, there has been speculation that the veteran executive may exercise that opt-out clause.
However, he told reporters on Friday that he’s “super excited’ about the team’s future and doesn’t plan to leave Minnesota, writes Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune (subscription required).
“I mean, moving [from Denver] wasn’t fun,” Connelly said. “I’ve had a blast here. Feels like we have roots here. It’s pretty special. That’s the goal. It has been a great couple years, and hopefully, we can make it a much longer couple years.”
Connelly said he’d be comfortable no matter which group ultimately gains majority control of the franchise, Zgoda adds. Longtime owner Glen Taylor, who also owns the Star Tribune, is on one side of the dispute, with minority stakeholders Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez on the other. The matter is heading to a three-person arbitration panel.
“Ownership is obviously in a unique place right now,” Connelly said. “Whatever happens is kind of a level up. I trust whatever happens will be the right path. We’ve all shared great moments throughout this whole season. There are conversations that we’ve had, and they’ll be ongoing. Now that we’re officially in the offseason, we’ll get a better sense of what we might do.”
The Timberwolves were eliminated from the Western Conference finals after being blown out by Dallas in Game 5 in Minnesota. It was just the second time the Wolves have advanced that far in the postseason, and Connelly believes they’re capable of advancing further in the future, according to Zgoda.
“When you’re a home-court team and a final four team, all those teams can win a championship,” Connelly said. “So I don’t know if there is any linear path to that next step. I don’t think there is one singular answer. A lot of it is match-ups and health.”
Connelly praised Karl-Anthony Towns, who had an otherwise solid playoff showing but largely struggled against the Mavs. Minnesota’s top basketball executive also discussed the team’s future payroll, suggesting the Wolves would be willing to be a taxpayer, but not on a repeated basis due to the restrictions of the new CBA.
“It’s a big task for ownership,” Connelly said. “It’s a lot, a lot of money. Relative to the impact on our flexibility, I think the jury is still out. It’s not a place you want to be long-term. It gets more and more harsh each year. Dipping your toe in it, it could have relatively limited impact on what we can and cannot do. But we’re learning it like the other 29 teams.”
Here’s more on the Wolves:
- Veteran forward Kyle Anderson, who has been rotation regular for Minnesota the past two seasons, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Retaining him will be a real challenge, considering how much money the Wolves have tied up in their other players. While Anderson said he enjoyed his time with the team and wants to return, he acknowledged he might be headed elsewhere this offseason, tweets Dane Moore. “I don’t know where I’ll be… but obviously (I) want to be back here,” Anderson said.
- Star guard Anthony Edwards, who will be playing for Team USA at the Olympics in Paris this summer, said he plans to do some extra training this offseason to prepare for 2024/25, as Chris Hine of The Star Tribune writes (subscriber link). “I’ve never played this deep into a basketball season,” Edwards said. “So now I know, like, OK, in order for me to be dominant in the third round, and if we get past this and finally go to the finals, I’ve got to train like I’m going to go to the playoffs. So I can’t be missing training days, I can’t take days off, you know what I mean? I’ve got to be ready. So I know what it takes, and I’ll be ready.”
- Consistently unlocking Jaden McDaniels offensively is an offseason goal for Minnesota, says Patrick Reusse of The Star Tribune (subscriber link). McDaniels’ lucrative rookie scale extension begins next season. He earned a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team this season, but often wasn’t involved enough on offense, Reusse observes.
- Mark Deeks of HoopsHype provides his offseason preview for the Wolves. In addition to Anderson, veteran point guards Monte Morris and Jordan McLaughlin will also be unrestricted free agents, and so will forward T.J. Warren. Big man Luka Garza will be the club’s lone standard RFA.
TWolves had a great season, I didn’t think they’d make the playoffs and many had them sorta 6-9 ish. Next to none had them going to the WCF and beating last year’s champs the Nuggets.
The last TWolves article was filled with negativity towards KAT and Gobert and a trade for either player I think that’s an incredibly dumb narrative.
It’s their first full season together, they need to try and build off of it and keep moving forward, not restarting.
As for their offseason and how they get better.
They lacked shooting in the playoffs, Conley and ANT were the only guards who shot over 30% from 3. They should do better on the glass with two centres in their starting line up. No one averaged double digit rebounds in the post season and aside from KAT and Gobert, ANT was the only player to average over 4 rebounds for them. Then you’ve got the some age concerns on Conley who is 35 and Kyle Anderson is heading to FA. I think addressing these little areas is how they get better along with just simply player development. ANT will continue to improve, McDaniels could add more offensively, NAW more consistency and so on.
As for players to target.
McLaughlin (gone) is too short and couldn’t be played in the playoffs, Morris (gone) didn’t offer enough and Anderson (gone) unfortunately I think the team opts to save some money here and let him walk.
As for replacements I think Cam Payne could be their next back up point guard, good shooting ability, can run a second unit and can stay on the floor during the playoffs. I also like Torrey Craig (player option) he rebounds well for his position, he’s also a good shooter and solid defender. Nic Batum I think can replace Kyle Anderson. Again another good shooter and decent defensively, just someone you can rely on to plug and play. Plus the French connection with Gobert could give you the edge. Which then leaves the draft, I think KJ Simpson, he’s an undersized point guard but huge effort player, can rebound, gets steals and again is a quality shooter.
Conley ANT McDaniels KAT Gobert
Payne NAW Craig Batum Reid
Simpson Moore Minnott Miller Garza
Same solid starters but better depth and still a solid young core battling to try get playing time behind the vets
Like you I don’t think they need to change all that much and they certainly don’t need to do any drastic trades. I don’t know that the post season back court shooting was really that bad. They only used three guards really and Conley and Edwards were fine. Sure Alexander-Walker struggled but that was more of an anomaly as he shot .391 during the regular season. McDaniels, Towns and Reid made up for that as they all shot respectable to elite percentages.
As far as rebounding goes they were middle of the pack. You don’t need all that much more when your top two rebounders average 18.3 rpg.
They need a better backup playmaker. Morris is washed and unfortunately Slo-mo is as well. Other than that this team is great. Even if they don’t make any major changes with the continued development of Edwards, McDaniels and Reid they’re still one of the top teams.
I just feel that when 3 of your 6 best players at centres you should be a dominant rebounding side. Make it hard for others teams to beat you because of your work on the glass.
Offensive rebounds equal second chance points aka easy buckets. Defensively rebounds nothing easy on the inside that’s now it should be for this side.
Hence why I’d just look to add some guys that rebound well for their position, just a little more scrappier.
Secondly the shooter from the guards, NAW’s efficiency dropped off cause he was asked to do so much on the other end. All I’m saying is they should look to add more spacing too. Cam Payne the last couple season has been just under 40%, Craig also is a solid shooter and my last suggestion Batum again near 40%. It would just help take the pressure off guys at times and helping the coaching.
But yeah little moves nothing drastic needed
Great insights. I’d be happy with those moves. I’m really hoping we don’t do anything drastic with the roster. I really want to see this core run it back now that they’ve had some deep playoff experience and more time together.
Wolves need to move Gobert. It’s his last year in Minnesota and he’s almost useless in the playoffs. Luka took him to school. This will put them under the cap and give them flexibility.
Luka (a point guard) took Gobert (a centre) to school. You should think so…..
Gobert was also a big reason you managed to contain the league MVP Nikola Jokic and get past the previous champs the Nuggets.
But nah forget about that let’s give up the 4 time defensive player of the year for what…. flexibility ….. nice
Gobert didn’t lock up Jokic. The Nuggets other players did not come through is why they lost. Gordon and Porter played terrible.
And why do you think they played terribly? Could it perhaps be TWolves defense, which Gobert anchored? Shocking logic, I know.
If Luka taking someone to school is enough reason to trade them, I guess every player in the league will need to be moved at some point.
And it’s not even Gobert’s last year with the Wolves lol what are you even taking about?
Fast eddie Goebert is 50 percent from the line and 100 percent good on his dunks 1.5 blocks at 42 million. Useless. Slow footed Foul prone .But 4 time wat ? Clogging the middle. Keep KAT. Dump This massive overpay.
Anderson could find his way back to the Spurs as a veteran presence and ideal role player w Wemby
Garza should be priority to keep. He could be a regular backup to Reid and Towns.