On the same day the Pelicans fired general manager Dell Demps, the Nuggets extended the contract of president Tim Connelly, who went to Denver from New Orleans.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Connelly’s contract could’ve expired at end of this season, but discussions with Nuggets president Josh Kroenke had been ongoing in recent weeks and culminated with a new deal, league sources said. https://t.co/1V8RgCfFCi
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 15, 2019
I don’t know whether Connelly used the threat of the Pelicans job as leverage. But he deserved this extension, anyway.
The Nuggets have only continued to rise since his previous extension three years ago.
Denver has yet to make the playoffs under Connelly, and he declared this season postseason or bust. Denver (39-18) is second in the Western Conference.
Connelly made a second-round pick so good in Nikola Jokic, it altered the course of the franchise. Connelly has done well to lock Jokic onto a five-year extension, surround him with young talent like Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Monte Morris, Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez and get them a good coach in Michael Malone.
If Denver weren’t stuck barely missing the playoffs in the loaded West the last couple years, we might have been singing Connelly’s praises sooner. But his success is undeniable. The Nuggets are in great shape now and in the future, and Connelly should see that through.