No NBA executive has been more active than Tim Connelly since he was hired as Timberwolves“basketball president in 2022, according to John Krawczynski of The Athleticwhich notes that Connelly has made at least one major trade in each season of work, including controversial trades for Rudy Gober and Lamela’s ball. As Krawczynski details, Connelly’s aggressive approach stands out in an industry where many executives tend to play it safe in hopes of keeping their jobs as long as possible.
“My industry has become so risk-averse,” Connelly said. “They’re so concerned with the real-time analysis (from the media). … The reality is you’re either trying to win or you’re trying to win. Sometimes you can adjust in the years that come up when you have (Victor) Vembanyama or someone like that. But the most unpleasant thing in our league now is that too many teams are trying to survive and try to be in between.”
The Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals in both 2024 and 2025, but failed to advance in either, and then were eliminated in the second round of the 2026 playoffs. That prompted Connelly to change Minnesota’s roster again, sending him away Julius Randle and Naz Reed in a blockbuster deal for Ball.
“Until you win the championship, you just have to keep shuffling the cards” he explained. “I don’t think we can be driven by fear. One of the few successes of a team that doesn’t have the proudest history is that you don’t have to be afraid to swing. … If it doesn’t work, and it’s my job, I’m going to get fired. That’s fine. But I never want to be in a position where we don’t want to make big swings.”
Here’s more from the Northwest:
- One of the reasons why Timberwolves officials were so excited to acquire Ball this offseason that they believed he could help lift Jayden McDanielsthe game Krawczynski writes in another article for The Athletic. Krawczynski notes that McDaniels talked about wanting to be an All-Star earlier this fall, and so far this preseason he’s looked capable of making another leap. The 26-year-old forward scored 47 points in just under 60 minutes in three games while shooting 66.7 percent from the floor, including 75.0 percent from three.
- Nuggets forward Spencer Jonesrecovering from a left hamstring strain, still limited to non-contact work, head coach David Adelman said Vinnie Benedetto of The Denver Gazette on Tuesday (Link to Twitter). Once he’s cleared for contact, Jones will have to work 1-on-1, 3-on-3 and 5-on-5, so his fall debut appears to be a long way off.
- While several of the Nuggets‘ main reserves are new to the team this fall, Tyus Jones finished the 2025/26 season in Denver and, according to Benedetto, will be the “driver” of the second division full story for The Denver Gazette (subscription required). “Tyus does such a great job of opening everyone up, getting everyone involved,” teammate Darron Holmes said of the veteran point guard. “He’s a leader. He’s a talker. You need guys like that on your team. That’s why he’s been in the NBA for so long, because he’s doing it at such a high level.”
- Ahead of Monday’s showdown against the London Lions, Trail Blazers the owner Tom Dundon met with several heads of local enterprises and government officials, trans Bill Oram of The Oregonianwhich suggests that the informal meetings were a precursor to the more “substantive and to the point” discussions that will take place next week. The city of Portland is in talks with Dundon and the Blazers to finalize financing for the Moda Center renovation and keep the franchise in Oregon for the long term.
- Ja MorantFather Ty Morant came away impressed after meeting Dundon for the first time on Monday and says his son felt rejuvenated after joining Trail Blazersaccording to Jason Quick of The Athletic (free link).
