The Denver Nuggets lost one of its top executives in Tim Connelly after he decided to join the Minnesota Timberwolves as its new President of Basketball Operations. However, it is not for their lack of trying.

Apparently, the Nuggets made a last-ditch effort to keep Connelly in Denver. He was pivotal in building the team to become constant playoff contenders, and so it's only expected the team didn't want to lose lose him. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves' offer was just too rich for them to match, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Nuggets governor Josh Kroenke made a bid to keep Connelly, sources said, but an offer that would have made Connelly one of the higher-paid league executives was still dwarfed by the Timberwolves' massive offer, sources said. Only a handful of top league executives have ownership equity as a part of their deals.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) blocks a shot from Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) as Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) plays defense in the first half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Timberwolves’ ‘stomachs aren’t full’ with historic Western Conference Finals trip
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after making a shot against the Golden State Warriors in the first half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards shouts out ‘fly as hell’ superfan Luca

For those not in the know, Tim Connelly agreed to a five-year, $40 million deal to lead the Timberwolves' front office. Aside from that, he also got ownership equity–which is probably what motivated him to leave the Nuggets and move to Minnesota.

As for the Nuggets, the expectation is general manager Calvin Booth will be leading the front office following the departure of Connelly. Booth is held in high regard around the NBA and is largely considered as one of the top rising executives in the league.