Michael Bloomberg Joining Alex Rodriguez, Marc Lore Group to Purchase Timberwolves, per Report

Michael Bloomberg Joining Alex Rodriguez, Marc Lore Group to Purchase Timberwolves, per Report

The Minnesota Timberwolves just wrapped up their best season in decades, earning the third seed in the West and making the franchise's second-ever conference finals appearance. What's more, the roster seems set to succeed for many years with Anthony Edwards emerging as a fully-blown superstar. Now a former New York City mayor wants to get in on the action.

On Thursday, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Michael Bloomberg is going to join the ownership group headed by Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez attempting to purchase majority control of the Timberwolves. Bloomberg was listed by Forbes as one of the 15 richest individuals in the world in April.

Lore and Rodriguez's efforts to acquire control of the franchise has been fraught with issues over the last few months. Their group had an agreement with current owner Glen Taylor to gradually purchase stakes in the team in chunks, with the payout for the final chunk to take control away from Taylor coming this year. However, in late March, Taylor claimed the team was no longer for sale because Lore and Rodriguez missed the deadline to do so.

According to Charania, the two sides are currently in arbitration to settle the dispute and it could stretch throughout most of the summer.

Per the report, Bloomberg is a big name but is not expected to be providing significant capital to get the deal done. Lore and A-Rod have brought in a lot of deep pockets to finance the purchase of the team. However, Bloomberg's wealth could end up important down the road as the Wolves aim to build off this season, which will require paying rather significant luxury tax penalties.

The key point, per Charania, is that adding Bloomberg means Lore and Rodriguez can complete the final $300 million payment to secure control of the franchise immediately as opposed to waiting until the end of next season, assuming the arbitration ends with a favorable ruling.

Either way, it seems Bloomberg might have a presence in Minnesota since the ownership group he's joining already controls nearly 40% of the team. An unexpected face, to say the least.

ESPN NBA Analyst Roasts Nuggets' Jamal Murray for Tossing Heat Pack at Official

ESPN NBA Analyst Roasts Nuggets’ Jamal Murray for Tossing Heat Pack at Official

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray's frustrations boiled over from the bench in Monday night's Game 2 blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves when he threw a heat pack in the direction of official Marc Davis after a call.

Murray, who is facing widespread criticism in the aftermath of the incident, is also not immune to a fair share of jokes at his expense after a frustrating night all around for the Nuggets.

Here's the clip of Murray hurling the heat pack at Davis.

Count ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler among those who was not surprised Murray's heat pack toss missed its intended target.

"He was 3-for-18," Legler said. "I'm not shocked he missed Davis with that heat pack."

It remains to be seen at the time of this writing if Murray will be facing any sort of discipline by the NBA for his actions.

Game 3 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves is set for Friday night in Minnesota.

NBA Fans Irate at Refs for How They Handled Michael Malone’s Game 2 Meltdown

NBA Fans Irate at Refs for How They Handled Michael Malone’s Game 2 Meltdown

Michael Malone and the Nuggets are in serious trouble in their series with the Timberwolves after getting blown out in Game 2, 106-80, in front of their home crowd on Monday night. Minnesota now leads the series 2-0.

NBA fans, meanwhile, wondered why Malone didn't get in actual trouble when he ran out on the court in the first quarter to yell at the refs during a break in the action.

Malone was furious and had to be separated from an official yet somehow he didn't get called for a technical foul, even though it clearly looked like he should have been whistled for one.

Here's how that played out:

Fans ripped the refs and the NBA for not laying down some sort of punishment on Malone, especially since players can get technicals for doing far less worse in games:

Game 3 of the series is Friday night in Minneapolis.

Charles Barkley Had Blunt Message for Nuggets After Ugly Game 2 Loss to T-Wolves

Charles Barkley Had Blunt Message for Nuggets After Ugly Game 2 Loss to T-Wolves

The Timberwolves rolled over the Nuggets, 106-80, in Monday night's Game 2 on Monday night to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the West semis as the series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Friday night.

The defending champion Nuggets were outplayed from the opening whistle and are now on the ropes after dropping the first two games at home. After the loss, head coach Michael Malone blasted his team for an embarrassing effort. He'll need Nikola Jokic and Co. to step up quickly or their season could come to an abrupt end against Anthony Edwards and the red-hot Timberwolves.

Charles Barkley thinks this series is already over, as he said this on TNT's postgame show:

Barkley's predictions rarely go his way so Nuggets fans can have some hope after Game 2, but it sure doesn't look good right now for Denver.