Jokic: Tim Connelly deserves credit for transforming Timberwolves into contenders / News - Basketnews.com

Nikola Jokic acknowledges Tim Connelly's strategic prowess in building the Minnesota Timberwolves, including the acquisition of Rudy Gobert.

Credit: Getty Images via AFP-Scanpix Credit Getty Images via AFP-Scanpix

Before facing off against Tim Connelly's Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs for the second consecutive year, Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic credited the general manager who selected him.

Minnesota Timberwolves / Schedule

Phoenix Suns Minnesota Timberwolves116-122 Denver Nuggets Minnesota TimberwolvesSat23:00 Denver Nuggets Minnesota TimberwolvesTue02:00 Minnesota Timberwolves Denver Nuggets05-1101:30

Jokic highlighted how drastically opinions have shifted regarding Connelly's bold move back in 2022, when the Timberwolves sent five players and five draft picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for center Rudy Gobert.

"I think they're built really well," Jokic said about Minnesota's first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns, via Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. "Hopefully, we are not going to get swept. I think Tim Connelly, when he made that trade, everybody was laughing at him and what he was doing. But he made a great team. And I think he deserves great credit for doing that."

Connelly was Denver's general manager from 2013 until May 2022, when he was hired as Minnesota's president of basketball operations.

Despite initial doubts about Gobert's fit alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, Connelly's subsequent moves to acquire players like Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have bolstered the team.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.