Denver Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly has reached agreement on a multi-year contract extension, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Connelly and his staff have earned the confidence of Denver president Josh Kroenke as they work together on reshaping the franchise’s roster and direction under first-year coach Michael Malone.
Connelly’s front-office staff, including assistant general manager Arturas Karnishovas, is returning on new deals too, sources said.
Connelly has found success in Denver’s draft, including the first-round selections of 7-footer Jusuf Nurkic (2014), guard Gary Harris (2014) and point guard Emmanuel Mudiay (2015). Through trades, Connelly has gathered three potential lottery-protected first-round picks owed to the Nuggets across the 2016 and 2017 drafts.
Also, the Nuggets found an emerging talent in Will Barton, who was acquired with a protected first-round pick in a 2015 trade for Arron Afflalo.
The Nuggets have endured several significant injuries this season to key players, including Wilson Chandler, who was lost to season-ending hip surgery. Danilo Gallinari, who missed 19 months because of two knee procedures, has returned to become an even more significant force for Denver this season.
Gallinari, Chandler and Kenneth Faried have signed contract extensions under Connelly’s watch. Denver is 16-25 this season, including recent victories over defending champion Golden State, Indiana and Charlotte.
Connelly replaced Masai Ujiri as general manager in 2013. Ujiri left to accept the president and general manager’s job with the Toronto Raptors.
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