Mike Conley Heads to Chicago in Three-Team Trade That Shakes Up the NBA Landscape
Mike Conley Jr. is on the move again, and this time, he’s headed back to the Midwest. The veteran point guard is part of a three-team deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, and Detroit Pistons - a trade that not only shifts talent across conferences but could have real playoff implications down the stretch.
According to reports, Conley will join the Bulls, bringing his steady hand and veteran leadership to a team still trying to find its rhythm in a crowded Eastern Conference. Joining him in Chicago is Jaden Ivey, the dynamic young guard from Detroit, giving the Bulls an intriguing mix of experience and upside in the backcourt.
The Pistons, meanwhile, are receiving a package highlighted by Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić - two players who can immediately contribute and help stabilize a roster that’s been searching for identity. Minnesota, for its part, walks away with draft compensation and additional assets, signaling a desire to keep building around its young core while maintaining flexibility.
For Conley, this move is something of a homecoming. The Indianapolis native is now just a few hours from where he made his name as a collegiate star at Ohio State.
Buckeye fans will remember that 2006-07 season well - Conley, alongside fellow freshman Greg Oden, helped power Ohio State to a 35-4 record and a trip to the national championship game. He led the Big Ten in assists (6.1 per game), earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of both the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament’s South Region.
That breakout freshman campaign led Conley to declare for the 2007 NBA Draft, where he was selected fourth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. What followed was a 12-year run in Memphis that not only defined an era but etched Conley’s name all over the franchise record books. He became the Grizzlies’ all-time leader in points, assists, steals, and games played, and helped guide the team to seven straight playoff appearances during the “Grit and Grind” era.
In 2019, Conley was traded to the Utah Jazz, where he finally earned his first All-Star nod during the 2020-21 season. He spent three and a half years in Salt Lake City before being dealt to the Timberwolves at the 2023 trade deadline - a move that paid dividends. In Minnesota, Conley became the veteran presence that helped elevate a young Timberwolves squad, including rising star Anthony Edwards, all the way to the Western Conference Finals in 2024.
Now in his 19th NBA season, Conley brings more than just experience to Chicago. He brings poise, playoff savvy, and a reputation for making the right play at the right time.
With over 1,100 regular-season games and 100 playoff appearances under his belt, he’s seen just about everything the league can throw at a point guard. His career averages - 13.7 points on 43.7% shooting and 5.6 assists per game - don’t just tell the story of a steady contributor; they reflect a player who’s consistently elevated the teams around him.
For the Bulls, who currently sit at 24-26 and hold the No. 9 seed in the East, this is a move aimed at stability and postseason positioning. If the season ended today, they’d be in the play-in tournament - and Conley’s arrival could be the difference between a quick exit and a deeper run. His ability to control tempo, facilitate offense, and mentor younger players like Coby White and now Jaden Ivey could be exactly what this team needs to take the next step.
The Eastern Conference remains wide open beyond the top tier, and with Conley in the fold, Chicago just added a proven winner to its playoff push.