According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly will remain with the Denver Nuggets after considering the same position with the Washington Wizards.
Denver Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly is remaining with the franchise, league sources tell ESPN. Connelly met with Washington owner Ted Leonsis on Friday about running the Wizards.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 20, 2019
Connelly has spent six seasons in Denver as the replacement for Masai Ujiri, the current front office leader for the Toronto Raptors. After the firing of George Karl and the departure of Ujiri, the Nuggets were left without a franchise direction. Connelly helped Denver recover from free agency departures, internal drama, and genuine mediocrity with a slew of excellent decision making. From his and President Josh Kroenke’s hiring of head coach Michael Malone, to the selecting of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gary Harris in the NBA draft, to the signing of Paul Millsap, this is as much Connelly’s organization as anyone’s. Him returning is an excellent step in Denver’s ultimate goal of bringing a championship to the Mile High City.
Connelly had been impressed with Leonsis’ vision for franchise, but Denver’s Josh Kroenke made an aggressive case to keep Connelly once Wizards extended an offer over weekend, per sources. Major coup for Denver. https://t.co/Bms0TdTLkJ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 20, 2019
General Manager Arturas Karnisovas, Assistant General Manager Calvin Booth, and other members of the front office have all contributed to this excellent rebuild, but Connelly is the face of the player movement. Not every decision has worked out, but the front office conglomerate continues to point true north, adding more and more solid players to the roster. With 54 wins, the second best record in the Western Conference, and the eighth youngest playoff roster of all-time that already won its first playoff series, the future is shining brightly in Denver.
Now, Connelly can the rest of the process through. A major win for the city of Denver.
Tim Connelly has made his decision: pic.twitter.com/BDB8rdAQI8
— Denver Stiffs (@denverstiffs) May 20, 2019