All Things 2023 Minnesota Timberwolves Off-Season Thread

[Gopherguy0723]

Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly had a chance to silence speculation that he could leave Minnesota for the same job with the Washington Wizards, but he didn't do so when given the opportunity Thursday.

"Yeah, I mean I’m pretty committed to the Minnesota Timberwolves right now," said Connelly, asked by Jon Krawczynski about his name coming up in Washington's search for a new president after firing Tommy Sheppard last week.

"Just worried about how we can get out of the first round. It’s been a long, long time since we got out of the first round. I think [head coach Chris Finch] and I are pretty excited to meet with the guys, are really excited about the foundational pieces we have here. Just keep building."

Being "pretty committed" leaves the the door open for a move.

https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/timberwolves/timberwolves-president-tim-connelly-fails-to-silence-wizards-rumors

Howl Wolves!!

He's gone.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

someone who covers the team said that is how Connelly talks - doesn't make very definitive statements but does a lot of "pretty sure." so that writer didn't think it means anything.

 

[BleedGopher]

Timberwolves leaders indicate their plan: Tweak it, don't tear it up​

"I think we really, really like our starting five," Connelly said. "We think we can compete with any team in the Western Conference, and how we continue to complement that group and augment that group is going to be a challenge we have this offseason. But we think those five guys are pretty exciting and pretty fun to build around."

Wholesale changes likely aren't on the horizon for the Wolves, who already made a significant roster move midseason when they swapped out point guard D'Angelo Russell for Mike Conley in a move the team hopes will unlock Towns, Gobert and Anthony Edwards.

Connelly's desire for continuity also extends to coach Chris Finch and the coaching staff, which Connelly referred to as "elite."

"The goal when you start the season obviously is to be better than last season, and we didn't achieve that," Connelly said. "But I'm also extremely proud of our players and coaching staff, because I can't give Finch and his staff enough credit for what they did this year under less-than-optimal circumstances."

Timberwolves leaders indicate their plan: Tweak it, don't tear it up

"We really, really like our starting five," President Tim Connelly said, and he also called the coaching staff "elite."

www.startribune.com

Howl Wolves!!

 

[BleedGopher]

Per Shama:

Don’t be too sure the Timberwolves can’t find a trade partner for controversial center Rudy Gobert. The Mavericks, for example, need rebounding and interior defense to complement high-scoring guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Howl Wolves!!

 

[tikited]

Per Shama:

Don’t be too sure the Timberwolves can’t find a trade partner for controversial center Rudy Gobert. The Mavericks, for example, need rebounding and interior defense to complement high-scoring guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Howl Wolves!!

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

I think it could. But wolves would take back absolute garbage

 

[BleedGopher]

Great work by Chad Hartman, doesn’t let Connelly off easy at all, though it’s clear he’s got a foot in Washington already:


Howl Wolves!!

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

Great work by Chad Hartman, doesn’t let Connelly off easy at all, though it’s clear he’s got a foot in Washington already:


Howl Wolves!!

I listened to this live. Everyone has become so good at cliches, and Ol' Timmy was no different.

I'm indifferent if he stays or goes. Just elevate Trade Machine guy.

If Timmy C goes to DC, it's going to be an awful look for him

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

I think it could. But wolves would take back absolute garbage

Yeah, Gobert wasn't as good as we all hoped but the Mavericks only have absolute garbage to offer. They still owe first round picks for Porzingis and Kyrie. I think we could get a pick or two, depending upon how the ping pong balls fall, but because of the rules on trading 1st round picks, that can't be sorted out anytime soon.

Long story longer, it would be really to make a deal with the Mavs.

 

[kg21]

You can get rid of Gobert, but how in the hell are you going to rebound? We had many of the same problems this year with rebounding and in many of those games, Gobert would have 12 boards.

Get rid of him and I just can't imagine the numbers yet again on the boards.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

Watching the Lakers whip GSW and hearing the announcer talk about how the Lakers needed OT to beat the Wolves without Gobert and McDaniels is a teeny bit frustrating.

 

[Mountaineer Gopher]

Watching the Lakers whip GSW and hearing the announcer talk about how the Lakers needed OT to beat the Wolves without Gobert and McDaniels is a teeny bit frustrating.

Plus no Naz!

 

[BleedGopher]

Per Shama:

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners on Monday his president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, isn’t leaving for a similar role with the Wizards.

Taylor said Connelly reached out to him “very recently” to speak about speculation he was going back to the Wizards organization where he worked for 10 years starting in 1996, rising from an intern to director of player personnel. “He said he is not interested,” Taylor stated during a phone interview.

Taylor considers Connelly, who the Wolves hired away from the Nuggets about a year ago, to be transparent. “He said don’t worry about that (leaving the Wolves). This is what I am going to do (stay).”

Connelly’s name has been rumored with the Wizards since late April when the Washington D.C. based NBA franchise fired Tommy Sheppard, its president of basketball operations. Fair or not, Connelly has drawn considerable criticism from the media for not being absolute enough in his commitment to stay in Minneapolis with the Wolves.

Connelly not only spent 10 years in D.C. with the Wizards, but he is also a native of nearby Baltimore. He and his wife Negah both have family ties to the D.C. and Baltimore areas. Connelly is a graduate of Catholic University in Washington. Four years ago he turned down an opportunity to leave the Nuggets and run the Wizards’ basketball operations.

David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Howl Wolves!!

 

[tikited]

Per Shama:

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners on Monday his president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, isn’t leaving for a similar role with the Wizards.

Taylor said Connelly reached out to him “very recently” to speak about speculation he was going back to the Wizards organization where he worked for 10 years starting in 1996, rising from an intern to director of player personnel. “He said he is not interested,” Taylor stated during a phone interview.

Taylor considers Connelly, who the Wolves hired away from the Nuggets about a year ago, to be transparent. “He said don’t worry about that (leaving the Wolves). This is what I am going to do (stay).”

Connelly’s name has been rumored with the Wizards since late April when the Washington D.C. based NBA franchise fired Tommy Sheppard, its president of basketball operations. Fair or not, Connelly has drawn considerable criticism from the media for not being absolute enough in his commitment to stay in Minneapolis with the Wolves.

Connelly not only spent 10 years in D.C. with the Wizards, but he is also a native of nearby Baltimore. He and his wife Negah both have family ties to the D.C. and Baltimore areas. Connelly is a graduate of Catholic University in Washington. Four years ago he turned down an opportunity to leave the Nuggets and run the Wizards’ basketball operations.

David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Howl Wolves!!

OK then. Fix what was screwed up.

 

[From the Parkinglot]

Love that the defensive stopper the wolves traded for did not receive a single all defensive team vote this year. He was a 6 time 1st team all defense and a 3 time defensive player of the year.

 

[Iceland12]

Love that the defensive stopper the wolves traded for did not receive a single all defensive team vote this year. He was a 6 time 1st team all defense and a 3 time defensive player of the year.

Odd huh? Didn't know that stupidly punching a curtain, with a wall behind it, was the NBA's version of a capital offense.

 

[From the Parkinglot]

Odd huh? Didn't know that stupidly punching a curtain, with a wall behind it, was the NBA's version of a capital offense.

I was more implying Gobert.

 

[Iceland12]

I was more implying Gobert.

I wasn't. With all the negative talk about the trade, rightly or wrongly, Gobert wasn't gonna get any awards or praise for this past season. Unless he vastly over performed. Which he didn't.

The surprise was McDaniels.

The talk was, including on Channel 11 last night, how odd it was that McDaniel, with all the praise for his defensive skills and his defensive numbers, didn't even make the 2nd team. A team that he was a lock to make up until he punched that wall.

 

[Slim Tubby]

I wasn't. With all the negative talk about the trade, rightly or wrongly, Gobert wasn't gonna get any awards or praise for this past season. Unless he vastly over performed. Which he didn't.

The surprise was McDaniels.

The talk was, including on Channel 11 last night, how odd it was that McDaniel, with all the praise for his defensive skills and his defensive numbers, didn't even make the 2nd team. A team that he was a lock to make up until he punched that wall.

This will sound provincial but both McDaniels and Gobert make one of the teams if they play in NY or LA. That's why I give ZERO credence to season awards when it comes to the NBA.

 

[kg21]

This will sound provincial but both McDaniels and Gobert make one of the teams if they play in NY or LA. That's why I give ZERO credence to season awards when it comes to the NBA.

We were a bad defensive team, yet we should have had 2 of our players make one of the teams.

Either these two players are overrated defensively, or we suck nuts at the other 3 spots.

Which one is it?

 

[Slim Tubby]

We were a bad defensive team, yet we should have had 2 of our players make one of the teams.

Either these two players are overrated defensively, or we suck nuts at the other 3 spots.

Which one is it?

The Wolves were ranked #10 in the NBA in 2022/23 for team defensive ratings but you never let facts get in the way of pushing your narratives. You're consistent...I'll give you that.

 

[kg21]

The Wolves were ranked #10 in the NBA in 2022/23 for team defensive ratings but you never let facts get in the way of pushing your narratives. You're consistent...I'll give you that.

Oh, I'm sorry, I used points per game. They weren't even close to 10th defensively on the scoreboard. You might want to look it up.

Defensive ratings.......LMAO

So we were a good defensive team after all. My bad!

 

[Ope3]

I just passed Naz Reid in the skyway walking from Mayo to Target Center. Big fella.

 

[Slim Tubby]

Oh, I'm sorry, I used points per game. They weren't even close to 10th defensively on the scoreboard. You might want to look it up.

Defensive ratings.......LMAO

So we were a good defensive team after all. My bad!

Are you still here??? Recess was over hours ago.

 

[tikited]

I just passed Naz Reid in the skyway walking from Mayo to Target Center. Big fella.

Did you tell him he's my favorite Wolf?

 

[BleedGopher]

I just passed Naz Reid in the skyway walking from Mayo to Target Center. Big fella.

I hope you invited him to join this thread.

Sup' Naz!

Go Naz!!

 

[kg21]

Did you tell him he's my favorite Wolf?

Or did. you ask him if he's staying?

 

[Ope3]

Did you tell him he's my favorite Wolf?

My bad. Missed opportunity.

 

[BleedGopher]

Howl Wolves!!

 

[tmvander]

Yeah I'll pass on him...