AS TIMBERWOLVES FACE KEY SUMMER, TIM CONNELLY SAYS HE ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE

AS TIMBERWOLVES FACE KEY SUMMER, TIM CONNELLY SAYS HE ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE

After the best season in two decades, the Minnesota Timberwolves now face a summer that could shape the future of their franchise. But as questions swirl about roster changes, luxury tax concerns, and long-term ambitions, team president Tim Connelly is putting one thing to rest: he’s staying put.

“I love it here. We’ve built something really special,” Connelly told reporters during his end-of-season media availability. “We’re not done. This is just the beginning.”

The Wolves, who made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals before falling to the Dallas Mavericks, finished the regular season with a 56–26 record — their best since the Kevin Garnett era. Powered by the superstar rise of Anthony Edwards, the defensive dominance of Rudy Gobert, and the veteran leadership of Mike Conley and Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota has transformed from a perennial afterthought to a serious title contender. But as with any deep playoff run, success brings complications.

At the center of that is Connelly, the architect behind the Wolves’ new era. After joining the franchise in 2022 from the Denver Nuggets, Connelly immediately made headlines with the bold trade for Gobert, which many initially criticized for the draft capital given up. Two years later, that move — along with the acquisition of Conley and the development of Jaden McDaniels — looks far more justified.

Still, with ownership uncertainty looming (as Glen Taylor’s sale of the team to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez remains contested), some wondered whether Connelly would entertain opportunities elsewhere — particularly given his deep ties to the Nuggets organization. But he silenced those rumors quickly.

“I’m all in,” Connelly said. “There’s a lot of noise, sure. But I believe in our vision. I believe in our players, our staff. We have a chance to compete at the highest level for years to come.”

That commitment is critical as Minnesota navigates a challenging financial summer. The team is heading into the luxury tax, with huge salaries owed to Towns, Gobert, and Edwards, whose max extension kicks in next season. While ownership has signaled a willingness to spend, difficult decisions may lie ahead. Some around the league believe Towns, who will earn over $49 million next season, could become a trade candidate as the Wolves look to balance the books and sustain flexibility.

Connelly, for his part, didn’t tip his hand.

“Karl’s a big part of our core. We’re constantly evaluating everything, but there’s no rush to do anything drastic. We’re proud of what this group accomplished,” he said.

Still, the team’s playoff run exposed both its ceiling and its limitations. Edwards emerged as a bona fide superstar, but the offense stalled at times, particularly against the Mavericks. Towns’ inconsistencies and McDaniels’ streaky shooting raised questions about how to build the most effective roster around Edwards moving forward.

There’s also the matter of free agency. Veteran forward Kyle Anderson, a crucial piece of the Wolves’ rotation, is an unrestricted free agent. Naz Reid, last year’s Sixth Man of the Year finalist, signed an extension in 2023 but could become a hot commodity in potential trade discussions if the Wolves need to manage costs. Young players like Leonard Miller and Wendell Moore Jr. will need bigger roles if Minnesota hopes to maintain depth without escalating payroll.

“We’re in a good place, but we know continuity is a challenge,” Connelly admitted. “You want to keep everyone together, but the salary cap is real. We have to be smart.”

Beyond personnel, the Wolves are dealing with ongoing drama at the ownership level. Taylor, who originally agreed to sell the team to Lore and Rodriguez, has since claimed the duo missed key deadlines, casting doubt on the transition. That situation remains unresolved, but Connelly brushed aside concerns about how it affects basketball operations.

“I stay out of it,” he said bluntly. “My job is to build a winning team. The rest is out of my control.”

For fans, hearing that Connelly is staying may be the most reassuring news of the offseason. His presence offers stability in a franchise that has often lacked it. Edwards is locked in. Gobert has another year on his deal. Towns is under contract through at least 2026. The pieces are in place. But sustaining success in the NBA is hard. Staying elite — and affordable — may be even harder.

Ultimately, this summer will be a balancing act. Can the Wolves retain their core, improve offensively, and stay under the second apron of the luxury tax? Can they extend their championship window without mortgaging the future?

One thing’s for sure — the man in charge is ready for the challenge.

“We’ve taken a big step,” Connelly said. “Now we’ve got to take another one.”

If Minnesota is going to do that, stability at the top is crucial. And for now, Connelly’s not going anywhere.