Tim Connelly Can Reportedly Name His New Price

By Ted Schwerzler |

Updated: May 26, 2024

Tim Connelly, minnesota timberwolves — AP Photo: Jerry Holt

The Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in the thick of a deep playoff run and there is no doubting the role that president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has played in making that happen.

The resounding level of success Minnesota has had this year, combined with the roster he built in Denver, means that Connelly’s services will be more in demand than ever, when he likely opts out of his contract at the end of this season.

Tim Connelly can name his new price for Minnesota Timberwolves… or someone else

According to Charley Walters (Pioneer Press), Connelly’s current contract runs five years and it’s worth a total of $40 million ($8M/Yr). How much more could he make after opting out?

Well… the better question might be ‘how much does he want?’ Tim will be able to name his price and, whether it’s Minnesota or another NBA franchise, somebody will pay it.

Timberwolves president Tim Connelly, signed for $40 million over five years but with an option to leave after year two this season, will be able to name his price on a new deal in Minnesota or elsewhere.
Charley Walters – Pioneer Press

There are certainly other franchises that would love to have Tim Connelly replicate the front office success he has had with the Nuggets and Timberwolves. The Detroit Pistons were showing significant interest, but they filled their head of basketball ops role last week.

Nowhere else will have Anthony Edwards, though. The 22-year-old star could be the most appealing building block across the entirety of the NBA and he isn’t going anywhere.

ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST DESTROYED JOHN COLLINSpic.twitter.com/apqngXMcFA
— Canis Hoopus (@canishoopus) March 19, 2024

Connelly’s future could also be tied to who owns the team after this season. He was brought in by Marc Lore, who he as a very close relationship with. That is not the case with Glen. But… Glen doesn’t have the apparent cash flow issues that Marc and A-Rod might.

According to another local insider, Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP) on Mackey and Judd this week, if Glen Taylor keeps majority ownership, it would be a step in the wrong direction toward keeping Tim around.

He also noted that the PoBO’s asking price could be as much as double. Note: this conversation happened on Thursday, right before the Pistons hired someone else.

[The Timberwolves’] vision come May of 2024 included Mark Lore and Alex Rodriguez being majority owners. We laid it out at the time two years ago. If it was just Glen Taylor’s [decision] Sachin Gupta gets elevated. It wasn’t going to ever be Tim Connelly, with Glen Taylor calling that shot.”

“It would be double too, by the way, like we’d be talking $15 to $20 million a year, if he’s going to Detroit. He’s not leaving for just a minimal raise to $9 or $10 million a year.”
Darren Wolfson – SKOR North

No matter who owns the Timberwolves after this season, they are going to have to open up that checkbook if they want to keep their president of basketball ops around. Here’s to hoping it will come from Minnesota and he’ll remain cashing checks from the same employer.