One important aspect of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ offseason that hasn’t been talked about enough is that president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, is now in the last year of his current deal. Normally, teams don’t want the men who have the final say on roster moves to have lame duck status because their transactions could be short-sighted.
Apparently, the Timberwolves aren’t too concerned because two huge transactions were made by the club late Monday evening. First, they dealt Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade where they also traded away the 28th pick in tonight’s draft (received the 33rd pick in exchange). Shortly after, it was announced that Ayo Dosunmu would be returning to the club on a five-year, $112 million deal.
It surely isn’t great optics that the Wolves traded the main piece they received in exchange for new NBA champion Karl-Anthony Towns in what can be deemed as a salary dump. Could the team be moving on from Connelly after the season?
Connelly would be grabbed by another team quickly if made avalable
The 50-year-old Connelly is well-respected throughout the league. Teams have asked about his availability in recent years, and he would likely be hired quickly if his contract were left to expire.
Still, getting the Towns trade right was arguably the most important move that he’s made with the Wolves. It’s somewhat understandable why he wanted to get out of Towns’ contract.
Less than two years after the trade was made, Randle was shipped out. He first joined the Wolves, known as a playoff-dropper. While Randle definitely made his presence felt at times in the 2025 postseason, 2026 was far different, and he had a truly miserable series against the San Antonio Spurs.
In the end, that series may have torpedoed his value. While the jury is still out on the first rounder Minnesota also acquired in the deal (Joan Beringer), it’s fairly evident that the New York Knicks are clear winners of the trade.
Another trade mishap occurred during the 2024 NBA Draft, when the Timberwolves shipped out a 2030 first-round draft swap and a 2031 first-round pick in exchange for the eighth pick, which was used on Rob Dillingham. It took less than two seasons for Connelly and the front office to recognize the error, and he was traded away.
In hindsight, it’s also become obvious that Minnesota would have been better off re-signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker last offseason rather than Randle. Wolves fans are well aware of the career-best year that NAW just had with the Atlanta Hawks.
Obviously, Connelly isn’t batting .000 with his transactions. Perhaps he and Timberwolves ownership already know an agreement for Connelly to stay will occur. I personally wouldn’t advocate moving on from him, but until an extension is announced, it has to be wondered if ownership has the confidence needed for him to remain on board after this season.
