Northwest Notes: Connelly, McDaniels, Jones, Dundon

Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has remained one of the NBA's most aggressive executives since taking charge in 2022. According to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski, Connelly has completed at least one blockbuster deal each season, including trades for Rudy Gobert and LaMelo Ball, choosing an aggressive path while criticizing the league's risk-averse culture.

After consecutive Western Conference finals appearances in 2024 and 2025, Minnesota's second-round playoff exit in 2026 led Connelly to reshape the roster again. Connelly acquired Ball by trading Julius Randle and Naz Reid, explaining that he remains willing to take major risks to pursue a championship.