Why Timberwolves should bring back Mike Conley

Tuesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves traded veteran point guard Mike Conley. Thursday, after another trade and a contract buyout, Conley could go right back to his old team.

It's against NBA rules for a team to trade a player, then re-sign him after his next team buys out his contract. But because the Chicago Bulls traded Conley to the Charlotte Hornets, and it was the Hornets who bought him out, Conley is free to return to the Wolves.

Mike Conley was a culture-setter with the Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves traded for Conley in 2023, and he averaged 14 points and shot 42 percent from three-point range helped the team to a play-in win and a playoff berth. In his first full season with the Wolves, he averaged 5.9 assists against 1.3 turnovers while shooting 44.2 percent from deep as they reached the Western Conference Finals.

While his playing time and athleticism dwindled the next season, Conley still played strong defense, distributed the ball and knocked down outside shots. Minnesota made it to the conference finals again.

Conley has elevated three different playoff teams in his career, taking the Grit n' Grind Memphis Grizzlies to the 2013 Western Conference Finals. After he was traded to the Utah Jazz in 2020, they had the best record in the West during the 2020-21 season. Along the way, he's helped young players like Anthony Edwards and Donovan Mitchell and helped Rudy Gobert to league-leading shooting efficiency numbers.

The best for the Timberwolves' open roster spots is Mike Conley

Getting rid of Conley was necessary for the Timberwolves to get under the salary cap apron, which let them take back more salary than they sent out in their trade for Ayo Dosunmu. But now they have two open roster spots and can sign Conley to a pro-rated minimum contract for the rest of the season.

The buyout market contains intriguing players like Lonzo Ball and Cam Thomas, but Conley has playoff experience and familiarity with the team. Even if he's only the third or fourth point guard, it's worth it simply to have Conley in the locker room.

Minnesota had to say goodbye to Conley to improve their roster. Now, it can improve that roster more by welcoming him back.