Mike Conley’s Whirlwind Week Lands Him Right Back in Minnesota
In a league known for its unpredictability, Mike Conley just pulled off one of the more head-spinning moves of the NBA season - and he did it all in under 48 hours.
On Wednesday, the Timberwolves sent Conley to the Chicago Bulls in a trade that was less about on-court fit and more about financial flexibility. Minnesota has been working the phones leading up to the trade deadline, and moving Conley was a cap-savvy play, especially as they navigate the possibility of adding a major piece like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But Conley’s stint in Chicago was over before it even began. The Bulls quickly flipped him to the Charlotte Hornets later that same day. And just like that, Conley found himself on his third team in a matter of hours - a veteran guard caught in the whirlwind of deadline maneuvering.
The Hornets didn’t hold onto him for long. They waived Conley shortly after the deal, making him a free agent and giving the 36-year-old the freedom to choose his next destination. Turns out, he didn’t need to think too hard about it.
By Friday, Conley had made his decision: he’s heading back to Minnesota.
It’s a rare NBA scenario - a player traded, rerouted, waived, and then re-signed by the very team that dealt him, all within two days. But for the Timberwolves, this move makes sense on multiple levels. They created the cap space they needed, and now they get back a veteran presence who already knows the system, the locker room, and the team’s goals down the stretch.
As for Conley, the return to Minnesota offers stability after a chaotic week. While his role has shifted this season - he’s averaging 18.5 minutes per game, mostly coming off the bench, a drop from the 24.7 minutes and 64 starts he logged last season - he remains a steady hand and a respected voice in the locker room. For a Timberwolves team with postseason aspirations, having a player like Conley back in the fold could prove valuable both on and off the court.
It’s not often you see a player traded and then re-sign with the same team in the span of 48 hours. But in today’s NBA, where flexibility is king and the trade deadline can turn rosters upside down, anything is possible - and Mike Conley is living proof.