The Washington Wizards are believed to have their sights set on Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly as their first choice to succeed the recently dismissed Ernie Grunfeld, sources told The Athletic's Fred Katz.

Connelly joined the Nuggets in June 2013. Since his second season leading the team's front office, Denver has bettered its regular-season record every year but had yet to clinch a postseason berth until this season. The club's 51-win total entering Tuesday marks its most victories in a campaign under Connelly.

The Nuggets executive is also a familiar face in Washington. He started his NBA career with the Wizards as an intern in 1996 and worked his way up the organization's front office after being hired as a full-time video coordinator in 1999.

Connelly also spent three years as an assistant general manager to Dell Demps with the then-New Orleans Hornets.

Prying Connelly away from the Nuggets could cost Washington, though. Denver announced in February it had extended his contract by an unspecified length.

Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said in a statement Tuesday that the team parted ways with Grunfeld due to its failure to make the postseason this year.

"We did not meet our stated goals of qualifying for the playoffs this season and, despite playing with injuries to several key players, we have a culture of accountability and a responsibility of managing to positive outcomes," Leonsis said.