The Minnesota Timberwolves made a major move on Tuesday, sending veteran point guard Mike Conley to the Chicago Bulls in a multi-team deal that also involved the Detroit Pistons. The trade included a 2026 first-round protected pick swap going to Detroit, while Jaden Ivey heads to Chicago and Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić land with the Pistons.
On paper, this might look like a simple financial maneuver for Minnesota. But to understand the full weight of this trade, you have to look back at what Conley meant to the Timberwolves - and how his arrival helped reshape the trajectory of a franchise that was teetering on the edge just three years ago.
Back in 2023, the Wolves were in a tough spot. The Rudy Gobert trade had yet to pay off, and the trio of Gobert, D’Angelo Russell, and Karl-Anthony Towns wasn’t clicking. The team was hovering just above .500 at 29-28 and facing the real possibility of missing the playoffs - all after giving up four first-round picks to land Gobert.
Then came the trade deadline. Minnesota sent Russell to the Lakers and brought in Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and three second-round picks. It didn’t take long for that move to pay dividends.
Conley brought more than just steady point guard play - he brought leadership, poise, and a calming presence to a young locker room that badly needed it. His existing chemistry with Gobert from their time in Utah translated immediately, especially in the pick-and-roll. That empty-side action between the two became a reliable staple of the Wolves’ offense, giving the team structure and identity when it needed it most.
The results followed. Minnesota not only made the playoffs that season, but they opened the next campaign on a tear, going 20-5 to start the year.
November of 2023 became the winningest month in franchise history. That season ended with a hard-fought second-round series against the defending champion Denver Nuggets - a series that featured a signature moment: a Mike Conley steal that set up Anthony Edwards’ Game 7 dagger.
With Conley at the helm, the Wolves reached the playoffs in three straight seasons and made back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals - something that had never happened in franchise history. He was the steady hand guiding a team that finally found its competitive edge.
Now, with Conley headed to Chicago and the Wolves receiving only cash considerations in return, it’s clear Minnesota is shifting gears. The move drops them below the NBA’s first tax apron, giving the front office more flexibility to maneuver in the trade market. That includes the ability to take back more salary in a potential deal - a key tool with the deadline just two days away.
And yes, the buzz around Giannis Antetokounmpo and his interest in Minnesota is real. Whether anything materializes remains to be seen, but the Wolves are giving themselves the cap room and trade flexibility to be serious players if the opportunity arises.
For now, though, the story is about Mike Conley - a player who didn’t just fill a role in Minnesota, but helped redefine what this team could be. His impact won’t show up in the return package, but it will be felt in the legacy he leaves behind.