The Minnesota Timberwolves are sitting in rarefied air right now - a legitimate contender in the Western Conference with a roster that’s deep, dynamic, and defensively elite. But if there’s one area that still feels like a “what if,” it’s the point guard spot. And as the February 5 trade deadline approaches, the conversation around Mike Conley Jr. is heating up.
Let’s be clear: Conley has been a rock for this team since arriving in 2023. His leadership, poise, and ability to steady the offense have been instrumental in the Wolves’ rise.
He’s the kind of veteran presence every young team hopes to have, especially one with championship aspirations. But at 38, the physical limitations are becoming harder to ignore.
He’s averaging just 4.6 points per game on 32.9% shooting, and the team is 6.3 points worse per 100 possessions with him on the floor, per Cleaning the Glass.
That’s not a knock on Conley’s value in the locker room - it’s just the reality of a team trying to win now. And to make a meaningful upgrade without sacrificing core rotation pieces, Conley’s $10.7 million expiring contract is the logical piece to move.
One name that continues to surface is Collin Sexton. The Timberwolves have reportedly shown interest in the Charlotte Hornets guard, and it’s easy to see why.
Sexton brings a dynamic blend of speed, shot creation, perimeter defense, and playmaking that would fit seamlessly alongside Anthony Edwards. He’s not just a scorer - he’s a guard who can shift the tempo, collapse defenses, and hit from outside.
In short, he checks a lot of boxes for a team that could use more juice in the backcourt.
But here’s where things get tricky. According to recent reporting from Jake Fischer, Minnesota isn’t as eager as some might think to part ways with Conley. In fact, there’s reportedly more openness to moving rookie Rob Dillingham than the veteran point guard.
That’s a bold stance - and potentially a costly one.
If the Wolves are unwilling to include Conley in a deal, it likely takes them out of the running for Sexton or any other point guard with a similar salary, like Dennis Schröder. Sexton’s $18.9 million expiring deal isn’t easy to match without Conley’s contract in the mix.
A package built around Conley, Dillingham, and Leonard Miller could work financially and might be enough to get Charlotte’s attention. Remember, the Hornets acquired Sexton and a second-round pick for Jusuf Nurkic this past summer - it’s not like the asking price is sky-high.
So the question becomes: how much value do the Wolves place on Conley’s intangibles versus the potential on-court upgrade Sexton provides?
There’s no doubt Conley still brings leadership and a calming presence. But this team is chasing a title.
And if holding onto Conley means missing out on a legitimate upgrade at a position of need, that’s a tough pill to swallow. Conley, an 18-year vet, understands the business.
He’s been traded before. If moving him gives Minnesota a better shot at a deep playoff run, it’s a move they have to seriously consider.
Now, there’s been some speculation about whether the Wolves could swing a deal for Sexton without including Conley - say, by trading Donte DiVincenzo instead. But that doesn’t hold much water.
DiVincenzo and Sexton are fairly comparable in terms of impact, and Minnesota can’t afford to thin out its depth. This team is built on balance, and removing a key rotation piece just to make a lateral move wouldn’t make much sense.
So where does that leave the Wolves? According to Fischer, they’re now likely to focus on more affordable point guard options - both in terms of salary and trade cost. Names like Tre Jones, Ayo Dosunmu, Jose Alvarado, and Scotty Pippen Jr. are reportedly on the radar.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. These are capable guards who could bolster the rotation without requiring a major shakeup. And given the Wolves’ current trajectory, even a modest upgrade could make a difference.
But let’s not kid ourselves: Collin Sexton is the kind of player who could move the needle in a real way. He brings a level of offensive dynamism that few of the cheaper options can match. And if Minnesota’s reluctance to move Conley is what ultimately takes them out of the running, it’s fair to wonder whether they missed a golden opportunity.
The Timberwolves are right there - knocking on the door of something special. The next few days could determine whether they push that door open or simply hope the group they have is enough.