Josh Kroenke and Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly talk before Game 4 of the Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026.

President Josh Kroenke speaks with Tim Connelly of the Minnesota Timberwolves before Game 4 of their NBA Playoffs series on April 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Dallas Mavericks Minnesota Timberwolves NBA

Dallas Mavericks Have Strong Interest In Hiring Tim Connelly

Ashish MathurApril 27, 2026 4:21 PM

DHJ Quick Take

Dallas Interest: The Mavericks are targeting Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly as their top choice to lead their front office.
Contract Status: Despite having a previous opt-out clause, Connelly chose to remain on his original five-year deal, leaving him under contract with Minnesota for two more seasons.
Potential Leverage: While the move is currently speculative, Connelly could use the Mavericks’ interest as leverage to negotiate a contract extension or raise with the Timberwolves this offseason.

The Dallas Mavericks need a new head of basketball operations and they have strong interest in Tim Connelly of the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

The Mavericks will hire a new general manager this offseason after firing Nico Harrison in November.

“League sources say that the Mavericks continue to have strong interest in the pursuit of Wolves lead executive Tim Connelly, who is suddenly awash in plaudits given how much damage two players he traded for — Rudy Gobert and Ayo Dosunmu — are inflicting upon a third-seeded Denver team that Connelly also largely assembled,” Fischer and Stein wrote. “Dallas is searching for a new head of basketball operations and, while Connelly is said to no longer hold an opt-out provision in his current contract, belief persists in various league circles that there are scenarios that would render him ‘gettable’ once Minnesota’s 2025-26 season is complete.”

Connelly signed a five-year deal with the Timberwolves in 2022. His contract had an opt-out clause last offseason, meaning he could have exercised the option and become a free agent. The skillful exec could have also opted out and negotiated a new contract with the Timberwolves.

Instead, Connelly opted in on the original five-year deal he signed in 2022. That means he is under contract for two more seasons with the Timberwolves.

This is all speculative, but if the Timberwolves don’t sign Connelly to an extension this offseason, he may talk to the Mavericks as leverage to get a raise. And if Minnesota still doesn’t give Connelly an extension after he speaks to Dallas, Connelly could leave the Timberwolves for the Mavericks.

Dallas has a bright future with Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving leading the way. The franchise will have a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft as well since they missed the playoffs again this season.

It will be fascinating to see who Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont hires as his general manager this summer. He has to hire a smart basketball mind who can build a competent roster around Flagg and Irving.