Relationship With Staffer Played Role In T-Wolves’ Decision To Fire Gersson Rosas

Gersson Rosas was relieved of his duties as Timberwolves president of basketball operations after his relationships within the organization were called into question, according to multiple reports.

Rosas was fired Wednesday, a week before training camp, and replaced by Sachin Gupta, the Timberwolves’ executive vice president of basketball operations. Gupta is most widely known as the creator of ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine.

The decision was announced by owner Glen Taylor, who has agreed to sale the team to former MLB star Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. Both of the new owners were also in on the decision to remove Rosas.

Per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Rodriguez and Lore had been evaluating Rosas’ performance during the offseason and intended to replace him at some point.

“That process sped up the more they learned about the deterioration of his relationship with Gupta and after evidence was brought to them about a consensual romantic relationship between Rosas and another team employee,” ESPN wrote.

The Timberwolves reportedly do not believe the relationship violated any policies, but have decided to launch an internal investigation just to make certain.

Along with that, Rosas and Gupta had been at odds recently.

“Gupta, who sources said had been barred from the facility by Rosas after the two had a falling out several weeks ago, was subsequently elevated to interim president of basketball operations,” per ESPN.

The Timberwolves are expected to conduct a broad search in replacing Rosas. Gupta will certainly be among those under consideration for the position on a full-time basis.

“The timing of Rosas’ dismissal caught players and other members of the organization by surprise, sources told Shelburne and ESPN’s Zach Lowe. Rosas was still holding meetings and was in the gym Wednesday morning,” per ESPN.

Rosas, 43, was hired by Minnesota on May 1, 2019, following 16 years with the Rockets. That included a run as executive VP of basketball operations under former Houston GM Daryl Morey.

Minneapolis-based reporter Dane Moore wrote that “dissension” has been brewing in the Timerwolves’ front office for some time.

“In a critical year, with new ownership, the Wolves decided to act now rather than delay,” Moore wrote.

The Timberwolves finished 19-45 in Rosas’ first season and 23-49 last year after undergoing a coaching change from Ryan Saunders to Chris Finch. Saunders was fired in February after a 7-24 start.

The Finch hiring didn’t come without its share of controversy, as he had been an assistant with the Raptors at the time. While hiring Finch, Rosas and Taylor passed over highly regarded Timberwolves assistant David Vanterpool.

With Rosas on the way out, Finch’s future with the franchise is obviously very much up in the air.