Youngest Player Turned GM? Next Reality TV Star? Jared Jeffries Is Making Moves

The rare opportunity for Jeffries opened up through his longtime friendship with Nuggets GM Tim Connelly, who, before working as an assistant GM with the New Orleans Hornets from 2010-13, was the director of player personnel for the Washington Wizards in the early 2000s. That’s where Jeffries started his career.

“We met when he was a rookie in D.C. I knew he always had an eye on coaching or scouting,” Connelly told Bleacher Report. “I knew that after a real long career, he was intrigued when I got the job with Denver. But he still had options to play. I said, ‘Just think about it. I’d love to have you part of it.’

“It’s different financially, obviously, when you’re doing what we do. The summer progressed and I was kind of sitting there waiting for them, and Jared rolled with it. He’s excited. He’s going to do a great job. He’s going to have a really bright future.”

Connelly discussed why a hire like Jeffries, a recently retired player, is significant to an NBA franchise.

“Calvin Booth is one of my best friends. He was in a similar role last year with myself in New Orleans—Anthony Johnson as well. They were two guys that had recently been playing and wanted to make the transition,” Connelly said.

“Both of them are superstar guys and we benefited so much from them. They were so closely removed from playing that they gave a very unique perspective, both in scouting and in inner locker-room dynamics that only players know. You have that trust from the players. That perspective is very eye-opening.”