Veteran guard Mike Conley Jr. is anticipated to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves after a series of moves around the 2025-26 trade deadline. Conley was waived by the Charlotte Hornets and is now reportedly planning to re-sign with the Timberwolves, where he began the season.
Details of Conley’s Recent Trade Transactions
Mike Conley was part of a complex three-team trade earlier this week involving the Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, and Detroit Pistons. On Tuesday, Minnesota traded Conley to Chicago, and by Wednesday he was moved again from the Bulls to the Hornets, alongside Coby White, in exchange for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and three second-round draft picks.
Despite these rapid changes, Conley’s eligibility to return stems from being waived by the Hornets rather than the Bulls, as explained by ESPN’s Bobby Marks. This procedural nuance allows him to rejoin Minnesota without restrictions.
Conley’s Career Path and Recent Performance with the Timberwolves
At 38 years old, Mike Conley has had multiple stints with the Timberwolves over the past four years, following earlier periods with the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz. A former All-Star and NBA All-Defensive Team honoree, Conley was once a consistently productive player.
Between 2011 and 2024, he averaged 15.3 points, 6.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 made three-pointers, and 1.4 steals per game. However, his role and production have diminished in recent seasons with Minnesota.
Last season, Conley started in most games but posted career-low averages of 8.2 points and 24.7 minutes per game. This season, his playing time and contributions have further decreased, with only nine starts in 44 games and career lows in points (4.4), assists (2.9), and rebounds (1.8) while averaging 18.5 minutes.
Impact of Conley’s Trade on Timberwolves’ Salary Cap and Team Strategy
Moving Conley reduced Minnesota’s salary cap obligations, dropping them below the luxury tax apron and lowering their tax bill from $24 million to $3.8 million, reports ESPN’s Jamal Collier citing Bobby Marks. This financial flexibility was part of Minnesota’s strategic efforts to pursue Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in a possible trade.
Ultimately, the Bucks retained Antetokounmpo through the deadline, meaning the Timberwolves appear poised to continue this season with a roster similar to the one they had before Conley’s trade.
Timberwolves’ Position and Playoff Outlook with Conley’s Return
Minnesota has reached back-to-back Western Conference Finals and currently holds a 32-20 record, positioning them sixth in the competitive Western Conference. The team faces rivals such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Denver Nuggets as it pursues a deep postseason run.
Conley’s return adds veteran depth and experience to a Timberwolves squad that aims to contend seriously for the NBA championship this season.
Free agent guard Mike Conley Jr. plans to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. The sides are working on timing of him re-signing. Conley was traded twice this week – to Chicago, then to Charlotte – before being released and allowed to rejoin the Wolves. pic.twitter.com/ht6HVIIqm4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2026
Conley is allowed to resign with Minnesota because he was traded from Chicago to Charlotte and waived.
If he was waived by Chicago, it would not have been allowed. https://t.co/6XH3M8vMy1
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2026
