T-Wolves fire Rosas, reportedly promote Gupta to team president

The Minnesota Timberwolves dismissed president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, the team announced Wednesday.

Minnesota will promote vice president Sachin Gupta to succeed Rosas, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic. Gupta will take the role on an interim basis as the Timberwolves prepare to search for a permanent successor, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Rosas' dismissal comes less than a week before the Timberwolves open training camp ahead of the 2021-22 season. Minnesota hired the Colombian executive in May 2019.

"As an organization, we remain committed to building a winning team that our fans and city can be proud of," Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor said in a statement announcing Rosas' firing.

Timberwolves franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns appeared perplexed with the decision.

The 43-year-old executive's sudden firing caught players off guard, as he had still been carrying out meetings, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Zach Lowe.

Rosas' most notable moves include negotiating the blockbuster trade for D'Angelo Russell in February 2020 involving Andrew Wiggins, selecting Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, and hiring head coach Chris Finch.

The Timberwolves struggled mightily with Rosas in charge, finishing with a 42-94 record over his two seasons with the team.