The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially brought back 38-year-old point guard Mike Conley Jr. for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season. Following the trade deadline, Conley was traded twice—first from Minnesota to the Chicago Bulls and then to the Charlotte Hornets, who ultimately released him. This sequence permitted the Timberwolves to re-sign Conley, a decision aimed at bolstering their roster and maintaining leadership depth. The move also aligns with the team’s aim to create salary flexibility while having pursued Ayo Dosunmu earlier.
Roster Adjustments and Contract Signing Details
Since the deadline, Minnesota had 13 active players for over two weeks but is required by league rules to fill at least one of its two vacant roster spots. With that requirement in mind, the Timberwolves finalized Conley’s contract and welcomed him back after four seasons with the franchise. Conley’s return is permitted because he was released by the Hornets after his trade from the Bulls, allowing Minnesota to re-sign him despite the earlier transaction.
Role and Impact of Mike Conley in Minnesota
While Conley’s statistical output has diminished in his 19th NBA season, he remains a respected veteran and has played a valuable leadership role for the Timberwolves. Head Coach Chris Finch, star guard Anthony Edwards, and other teammates frequently highlight his influence in the locker room and his contributions toward the team’s development. Edwards openly expressed a desire for Conley’s return following the trade deadline, emphasizing how much the team missed his presence.
I keep hearing he can come back, so hopefully he will, and I hope he sees this,
Edwards said, via Chris Hine of the Minnesota Star Tribune, after a 128-126 victory over the Toronto Raptors on February 4.
We want you back, Mike. He knows we miss him.
Projected Playing Time and Timberwolves’ Current Standing
This season, Conley appeared in 44 games for Minnesota, starting in nine, and put up averages of 4.4 points and 2.9 assists while shooting 32.1 percent from beyond the arc in approximately 18.5 minutes per contest. With Ayo Dosunmu now firmly integrated into Minnesota’s backcourt alongside Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, Conley is expected to see reduced playing time compared to earlier this year. As the Timberwolves hold a 34-22 record coming out of the NBA All-Star break, they are positioned sixth in the Western Conference and remain focused on climbing higher in the playoff race.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed Mike Conley to a deal for the rest of the season, league sources told @hoopshype. Conley has averaged 9.2 points, including shooting 41.3% from 3-point range, 4.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game in four combined seasons with Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/hJUcSYrLFA
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 17, 2026
Anthony Edwards on Mike Conley: “I keep hearing he can come back, so hopefully he will and I hope he see this. We want you back, Mike. He know we miss him.” pic.twitter.com/FsfvhFmyh3
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) February 5, 2026
