Anthony Edwards Wants Mike Conley Back - And the Timberwolves Might Be Listening
This time of year in the NBA, the trade deadline doesn’t just shuffle rosters - it shakes locker rooms. Bonds built over seasons can be broken in a matter of hours. For the Minnesota Timberwolves, that reality hit hard in 2025 when they had to say goodbye to Mike Conley Jr., a veteran guard who had become a steadying force both on and off the court.
Conley didn’t just get moved - he went on a whirlwind tour. First, he was traded to the Chicago Bulls.
A day later, he was rerouted to the Charlotte Hornets. And even now, there’s a chance his journey isn’t over yet.
After Minnesota’s win over the Toronto Raptors earlier today, Anthony Edwards opened up about the situation. He’s heard the rumblings - that Conley could potentially return under the league’s rules - and he’s not hiding how he feels about it.
“I keep hearing he can come back, so hopefully he will,” Edwards said. “And I hope he sees this.
We want you back, Mike. He knows we miss him.”
That’s not just a teammate talking - that’s the face of the franchise putting in a public request.
Conley arrived in Minnesota back in 2023 and wasted no time establishing himself as a leader. He played a key role in guiding the Timberwolves to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances, and his influence extended far beyond the stat sheet. For Edwards, in particular, Conley was a mentor - someone who helped him navigate the ups and downs of stardom.
“Mike, man, he’s an OG,” Edwards said. “Always helped me when I was struggling on court. Great conversations off the court, great dude overall.”
That kind of presence doesn’t show up in a box score, but it’s invaluable to a young team trying to take the next step. Even though Conley hadn’t been logging major minutes this season, his impact was still felt - in the huddle, in the locker room, and clearly, in the heart of the team’s young star.
Now, thanks to the NBA’s so-called “Andrew Bogut rule,” there’s a potential path for Conley to return. The rule allows a player who has been traded multiple times within a short span to rejoin his original team. And while there’s still a lot that would need to happen to make that reunion a reality, Edwards’ comments might just be the first push.
The Timberwolves’ front office has to weigh a lot of factors at the deadline - roster flexibility, cap space, long-term planning. But when your franchise player goes out of his way to campaign for a guy like Conley? That’s a message worth listening to.
At 36, Conley may not be the floor general he once was, but what he brings in leadership, experience, and chemistry still holds real value - especially for a Timberwolves squad that’s trying to turn playoff appearances into something more.
Whether or not a reunion happens, one thing is clear: Mike Conley left a mark in Minnesota. And if Anthony Edwards has his way, that chapter might not be over just yet.