Calvin Booth

Eric Spyropoulos

No, this isn’t your parent or high school guidance counselor instructing you on the importance of maintaining quality associations throughout your professional career.

But when it comes to working in sports, particularly in the competitive field that is basketball operations, who you know often plays a driving force in carving out a successful path.

For Calvin Booth and Tim Connelly, a bond established in the late 1990s continued to grow over the ensuing two decades, and the two now find themselves as the lead decision-makers in the Denver Nuggets’ front office.

Booth had just been drafted 35th overall by the Washington Wizards after a successful college career at Penn State, where he won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Connelly was beginning his first season as an assistant video coordinator after spending the previous three seasons as an intern in the Wizards’ basketball operations department. Connelly initially secured that position after writing letters to several NBA teams, to which Chuck Douglas of Washington’s college scouting department responded.

“It goes back a long time, the relationship with Tim,” Booth told Nuggets.com. "We kind of sparked a friendship from that standpoint and it's definitely evolved from that standpoint.”

As Connelly became a full-time scout in 2000, Booth was nearing the end of his first run with the Wizards. The 6’11” big man would eventually be traded to the Dallas Mavericks during the 2000-01 season and would go on to play for five other teams over his 10-year playing career.

However, the two would maintain their relationship during this period. Connelly eventually left Washington’s front office in 2010 to become the Assistant General Manager for the New Orleans Pelicans (then known as the Hornets).

Two years later, Booth joined Connelly in the Pelicans’ front office for the 2012-12 season as a scout. It was a natural starting point for Booth, who knew that he wanted to work in basketball operations after his playing days in order to stay in and around the game he loves.

After a year in New Orleans, Booth joined the Minnesota Timberwolves’ front office, eventually working his way up to Director of Player Personnel.

During this time, Connelly had been named as the Nuggets’ EVP of Basketball Operations. Just a few months after being promoted to President of Basketball Operations in June of 2017, Booth was brought into the front office to serve as the team’s Assistant General Manager.

Less than three years later, the two serve as the lead minds in Denver’s front office, as Booth was recently promoted to General Manager following Artūras Karnišovas' departure to lead the Chicago Bulls’ front office.

“Calvin is one of the brightest basketball minds in our league,” Connelly said in a press release about Booth’s promotion. “We are very fortunate to have him as part of our organization and are extremely excited for his new role.”

Booth also understands and appreciates Connelly’s approach to the job, specifically his focus on development.

When fans think about the development of a team, the first thought is about the progression of young players. While that has certainly been the case in Denver over Connelly’s tenure, the development of front office and coaching minds has also been at the forefront.

Therefore, it’s no surprise to hear the names of some of Denver’s lead assistant coaches or front office executives come up when other teams in the league have openings.

For Booth, this only further inspires him to sharpen his craft.

“As I continued to ascend up the ranks of the front office, it became how can I do my job the best?” Booth explained to Nuggets.com. “What facets go into that person, the candidate that gets potentially in the future a President's job and gets to run their own program.”

Given Connelly’s desire to develop on-and-off the court, Booth understands that a time may come for the two to part ways if an exciting opportunity arises for the 44-year-old former player.

“Obviously, I'm going to enjoy every moment and second that I get to be with the Nuggets and I hope I'm here for a really long time, but I think Tim is really into growth and development. He wants to prepare me for that moment if I ever have the opportunity to take on that position.”

For now, fans can rest assured that Denver’s front office continues to progress and develop at a similar rate to the players on the court.

While the development of Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokić and Denver’s other young players has caught the league’s attention, one can’t overlook the importance of development throughout the front office.

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For Denver Nuggets’ Calvin Booth and Tim Connelly, a strong relationship has helped form a dynamic front office combination

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The Nuggets faced a transformative moment as a franchise when Artūras Karnišovas left the organization to become the Chicago Bulls President of Basketball Operations. Would the team look outside of its fold to replace its outbound general manager or maintain continuity by promoting Calvin Booth, widely regarded as one of the bright young minds in the game?

Considering the success the organization's had in maintaining stability since Tim Connelly joined in 2013, the Nuggets decided to bank on continued prosperity and make Booth their GM. The former 10-year NBA vet is hoping to build upon the foundation Connelly and Karnišovas set, while also adding his own expertise to the role.

“I think it's the culture we've built,” Booth told Nuggets.com on why he wanted to stay with Denver. “It's an opportunity to step into Arturas' role and continue what he started to build. This is a great city, great fans, great team, [great] ownership group and obviously working for Tim is a great bonus as well.”

Booth enters an unprecedented time as a leading NBA executive, with COVID-19 significantly impacting the NBA since the suspension of the 2019-20 season due to the pandemic in mid-March. Booth acknowledges that the typical methods of scouting and evaluating talent will have to change to adjust to the current landscape.

“We were talking about it within our staff and typically, you'd have the spring with McDonald's [All-American] practices and game. The Hoops Summit, the Jordan Brand game. None of that stuff is happening now,” Booth explained. “So that usually gives you a good idea of who to prioritize college wise and what teams to see. Now, we're potentially looking at an area where we'll be drafting and then trying to figure out our scouting schedule for this season within the same week.”

He added, “If the [upcoming] college basketball season goes on as normal, teams will be practicing at that time. We might not be allowed to go and scout those guys live, so that might be a part of the problem. There are so many different factors that nobody really knows and we have to figure it out as we go.”

International scouting will also be another key component for Booth in his new role. His predecessor, Karnišovas, played a key part in discovering first-team All-NBA center Nikola Jokić and bringing him stateside. Being able to use the global game as a resource has become an integral part of the Nuggets’ DNA as it has also enabled them to add defensive lynchpin, Torrey Craig, from Australia’s NBL initially on a two-way contract and draft another promising prospect in Vlatko Čančar. Booth wants to make sure the Nuggets leave no stone unturned in trying to improve their roster.

“I value [international scouting] a lot,” Booth said. “All we're trying to do is look for where inefficiencies are, where you can get value. Even though as the years go on and as people get more and more interested in Europe and they are putting more resources into it, it's still a landscape where you can find a gem.”  He added, “You can find a Nikola at No. 41. It's a lot harder to find [a similar prospect] at No. 41 if he is playing in the NCAA. It is a very important part of our scouting package and we'll continue to value it moving forward.”  Booth and the Nuggets also want to continue to be innovative in the ways they built their culture within their organization as well. Prior to the team taking a flight to Orlando to resume the season, the Nuggets invited former NFL star quarterback Peyton Manning to give a zoom call in an effort for the team to learn from the two-time Super Bowl winner.  “It was very informative. [It was] more about taking on the challenge of being in the bubble,” Booth revealed. “[He discussed] some of his career experiences. He opened up the floor for our guys to ask some questions. It was really helpful. He's the best quarterback quite possibly to play and he's a legend. Our guys really respected him and valued that he took the time out to join a zoom call and talk to us.”  Outside of the effect COVID-19 has had on the NBA, another topic that has dominated conversations around the league for the past two months has been the Black Lives Matter movement. The Nuggets have been very vocal in supporting the movement since George Floyd’s tragic death on May 25. Booth, who is one of 10 black NBA GMs, joined Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and several members of the coaching and front office staff in participating in a silent march on Juneteenth in Denver. He is appreciative of the efforts that the NBA and millions of others around the U.S. and the world are taking to enforce change when it comes to racism.  “It’s good for us to look at all of these institutions and how things have been handled in the U.S. over the last century,” Booth said. “I support the silent protests because it's not violent and you're making a statement and you're trying to bring attention to an issue. I wish in this process moving forward that people can do it in a way that's not violent and doesn't destroy property and hurt other people. But I do think it's important for us to speak up.”

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Denver Nuggets' Calvin Booth shares philosophy as team's new General Manager

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DENVER, Jul. 7, 2020 – The Denver Nuggets have named Calvin Booth as General Manager, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

“Calvin is one of the brightest basketball minds in our league,” said Connelly. “We are very fortunate to have him as part of our organization and are extremely excited for his new role.”

Booth, 44, is in his third season with the Nuggets after being hired as Assistant General Manager in the summer of 2017. Since arriving in Denver, Booth has played an integral part in the scouting and drafting of Monte Morris, Michael Porter Jr., Bol Bol and Vlatko Cancar. The Nuggets saw improved records in each of Booth’s first two seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Semi-Finals last season.

Prior to arriving in Denver, Booth spent four seasons (2013 – 2017) in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ front office, initially as a scout before rising through the ranks to Director of Player Personnel. Booth also served as a scout for the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2012-13 season before transitioning to Minnesota prior to the 2013-14 season.

Before beginning his front office career, Booth played for seven different teams over a 10-year career in the NBA. He appeared in 366 games (83 starts), averaging 3.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.00 blocks per game. The Reynoldsburg, OH native was drafted by the Washington Wizards in the second round (35th overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft after playing four years at Penn State University where he was named Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 1998.

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Calvin Booth Named General Manager

Denver Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly knows it is just a matter of time before he sees his assistant general manager Calvin Booth leave the organization.

“I just think he’s unbelievably bright. Some team is going to be very lucky when he’s running their team [in the future],” Connelly gushed to Nuggets.com.

Booth has become an integral part of the Nuggets front office since joining the team in 2018. A former NBA center whose playing career spanned a decade in the league, the 43-year-old has brought invaluable insight and a natural scouting eye to the organization.

“Constantly learning new things and he’s got an innate feel for people in the game,” Connelly said. “Obviously, his playing background [is significant]. Coming from a redshirt at Penn State to a 10-year NBA vet, he’s seen so much.”

READ MORE: Five questions with Calvin Booth

Booth is one of nine black or non-white NBA assistant general managers, according to Real GM. There are 36 assistant GMs in the league. The paucity of diversity in NBA front offices also extends to the president of basketball operations and general manager ranks. There are six lead black executives in the league (Scott Perry, Elton Brand, Masai Ujiri, Koby Altman, James Jones and Trajan Langdon) and an additional non-white President of Basketball Operations in Gersson Rosas. The Nuggets have had two black lead executives in their past, Bernie Bickerstaff and Ujiri, and currently employ a diverse front office with people from different nationalities, races and genders. Connelly acknowledges the importance of having different perspectives when running an organization.

“Our sport is so diverse, so we want our basketball operations staff to be reflective of our sport,” Connelly said. “The more diverse backgrounds and minds we have, the better.”

“Having a range of perspectives and opinions is invaluable to optimize an organization,” Booth added. “People from different backgrounds and views, it helps you make more informed decisions and look at things from a wider scope. I think that’s really important”

Although Booth acknowledges he would love to run an organization at some point, he is thrilled to be working with an NBA contender in the Mile High City.

“It’s really cool to have Tim, one of the most talented executives in the NBA, [say something like that],” Booth said. “He sees something in me when it comes to running an organization at some point in time. He’s always been one of my biggest advocates and I appreciate him for that.”

He added, “I’m enjoying my time here. If this is my last stop working in the front office, I’d be perfectly fine with that. But if there’s an opportunity to be a lead decision maker for a franchise, of course I’d be interested, and I’d have to hear what the team has to say.”

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Calvin Booth’s Bright Front Office Potential – Nuggets Honor Black History Month

In this special live recording of the 24K Podcast at the Rackhouse in Rino, Chris Dempsey and Katy Winge talk with Nuggets' assistant general manager Calvin Booth about the summer months and the upcoming Nuggets season.

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Nuggets 24K, Episode 19

It’s a Monday in early July and while the Denver Nuggets’ Summer League team is off, Calvin Booth isn’t.   The team’s assistant GM is tucked away in one of the last rows in the lower bowl at Thomas &amp; Mack Center in Las Vegas, taking in a few games. The 43-year-old, who spent a decade in the NBA as a rim protector, is observing and doing what has become second nature to him over the past few years: Scouting and evaluating talent.  

Booth is also all smiles because the Nuggets have just acquired Jerami Grant, a player whose versatility on both sides of the floor should be a seamless fit on coach Michael Malone’s team. There has been a lot of buzz over the moves several other Western Conference teams have made, but Booth is quietly confident the Nuggets will remain a contender in the highly-competitive conference.   “I think everybody, whatever role they are in, is poised to improve,” Booth told Nuggets.com. “Ultimately, once you get to the level we’re at, you need your best players to keep improving. I’m confident in Nikola [Jokić], Jamal [Murray], Gary [Harris] to keep on taking another step in growing their game.”  Booth joined Nuggets.com for the latest installment of Five Questions. The former center discussed the ins and outs of his position, his expectations for Murray with an impending contract extension in the mix and the deal for Grant.   Here are his responses:   [Editor’s Note: Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity purposes]  For an average Nuggets fan who might not know what an assistant GM does, can you explain the day-to-day function of your role?  As an assistant GM, scouting is a big priority. Being around the team, making sure things are running smoothly. I coordinate in helping Tim [Connelly] and Artūras [Karnišovas] manage our [front office] department. Those are probably the biggest things I’m doing.   [There’s] a good amount [of scouting and traveling involved]. During the season, 14 to 15 days a month are spent on the road. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Offseason, you travel almost about the same as well.   [What drew me into front office work] is seeing how a front office [operates] in putting a team together and what makes a good team go. That always intrigued me…My passion was always working in the front office.   When a trade like the one for Jerami Grant happens, how involved are you in that process?  Tim and Artūras do a great job of collaborating with everyone in the department, getting together in meetings and picking ideas. I think everyone in our group has an impact and a say on the moves we make and the ones we won’t make.    [A typical question] might be “Will or won’t you do this deal?” Then we start going down the rabbit hole, so to speak, where we start asking more detailed questions. [We start weighing] the pros and the cons of how it will impact us, if we do it. What’s the impact if we don’t do it. It depends on the scenario, but it evolves into a sophisticated conversation.   What does Grant bring to this team?  He’s a versatile basketball player and he’s a hard worker, who has improved his game a lot. He’s a guy who shot 39 percent from three last year on a high volume of attempts.  He can rim protect and he finishes at a high level. He’s rangy defensively, so I think he brings a lot of qualities that we lack.   Paul Millsap is returning this season and Jamal Murray has an impending contract extension, how important was it to keep this core group intact?  We’ve got [great] homegrown talent and Paul was our one big free agent acquisition and he’s been important to our success. He provides leadership and toughness, he’s a guy who’s won at the highest level.   Jamal is a guy we’ve drafted and seen grow every day…Who knows what Jamal’s ceiling is yet? I don’t think he’s close to it yet. I think depending on how things go, he can be pretty good. You hate to put labels on those things but I think the sky is the limit [for him].   I think it was big for the continuity of team [to extend both contracts]. We’re big on continuity and we feel we can be successful [with this group].   In your mind, what makes teams successful?  I think its guys buying into the team concept. Guys being unselfish, being willing to move the ball and do things that aren’t easy to do, like play defense on a back-to-back night or give multiple efforts towards loose balls. Doing it every day, consistency matters. I think that’s the reason why we have a lot of team success right now, we have a bunch of guys who have bought into those things. 

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Denver Nuggets Five Questions: Calvin Booth, Assistant GM

The Denver Nuggets have named Calvin Booth their Assistant General Manager, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Booth, 41, joins the Nuggets after spending the past four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves front office, most recently serving as the Director of Pro Personnel. Prior to his promotion last season, Booth was a scout for the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2012-13 season before transitioning to the same position in Minnesota for the start of the 2013-14 season. While in Minnesota Booth continued his rise as a basketball executive as he worked his way from a scout, to the Director of Player Programs and then to the Director of Player Personnel.

Before beginning his front office career, Booth played for seven different teams over a 10-year career in the NBA. He appeared in 366 games (83 starts), averaging 3.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.00 blocks per game. The Reynoldsburg, OH native was drafted by the Washington Wizards in the second round (35th overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft after playing four years at Penn State University.

Booth and Connelly are no strangers, having worked together on two separate occasions with the Washington Wizards and also later with the New Orleans Pelicans. Booth had two separate stints as a player with the Wizards, first bet ween 1999-01 while Connelly was a scout and again from 2005-07 while Connelly was the Director of Pro Personnel. Most recently the pair came together in the Pelicans front office where Booth was a scout during the 2012-13 season and Tim Connelly was finishing his last year as New Orleans’ Assistant General Manager before being hired as the Nuggets General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.

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Calvin Booth Named Assistant General Manager

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