Photo: AP

Current Denver Nuggets president Tim Connelly have engaged on a serious talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves regarding their president of basketball operations opening (h/t Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic). 

Both sides have already moved “beyond exploratory conversations” after the Nuggets allowed the Timberwolves to speak with Connelly. So far, per Charania and Krawczynski, there’s no deal being agreed yet for a possible partnership. 

Connelly has been an ideal outside target for Minnesota to take control of their basketball operations helm. Meanwhile, the franchise remains sticked on their collective goals with Sachin Gupta, their executive vice president, who also emerged as a candidate to take over in their front office. 

As such, this offseason will determine if Gupta will be promoted or has to remain in his position in the ball club. 

Under Gupta, the T-Wolves came up big this season and had a promising progress behind the trio of Karl Anthony-Towns, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell. With a 46-36 record and a dub in the Play-In tourney against the Los Angeles Clippers, they entered the postseason for the first time since 2018 and gained plenty of exposure in competitive basketball upon the guidance of veteran guard Patrick Beverley. 

Minnesota looks poised to continue this momentum and success, and the possible acquisition of Connelly can further secure these goals of rise towards title contention. 

If ever Connelly leaves the Mile High City, it’ll be a big gamble considering that the club he built do features the reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, rejuvenating offensive weapons in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. and a determined Nuggets squad that is now being considered as a strong championship contender for the 2022-2023 campaign.