The Denver Nuggets announced Monday that they hired Tim Connelly as executive vice president of basketball operations.
Connelly, 36, spent the last three years as assistant general manager of the New Orleans Hornets, who recently changed their name to the Pelicans.
He will be introduced by the team in a press conference later this week.
“We are extremely excited to have Tim join the Denver Nuggets organization,” Nuggets president Josh Kroenke said in a statement. “He comes from a great basketball background, possesses an incredibly strong work ethic and is a wonderful person. His passion and energy for the game of basketball are contagious and I am confident that he will be a great fit with us in Denver.”
Connelly takes over for Pete D’Alessandro, who left to become the Sacramento Kings general manager last week.
Prior to New Orleans, Connelly spent 10 years with the Washington Wizards, working his way up to director of player personnel.
“I want to thank the Kroenke family for this incredible opportunity and for putting their faith in me to help lead the Nuggets to new heights,” Connelly said in a statement. “I am also very grateful to (Pelicans general manager) Dell (Curry) and the Pelicans organization and want to thank them for preparing me for this next chapter in my career. I am looking forward to building on the strong foundation that has already been established in Denver.”
The Nuggets fired NBA Coach of the Year George Karl and did not put up a fight when Executive of the Year, general manager Masai Ujiri, left to take over the Orlando Magic’s front office.
Denver won 57 games and received the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs but bowed out to the Golden State Warriors in the first round.