The Minnesota Timberwolves made unexpected waves when they facilitated a trade between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons. Minnesota sent veteran point guard Mike Conley to Chicago in a deal that ultimately amounted to financial relief. In the process, Minnesota gave the Los Angeles Lakers an unexpected opportunity to bolster the rotation.
With Conley likely to hit the buyout market, the Lakers could add a veteran point guard to their rotation and create the backcourt depth they need.
Los Angeles has elite top-end talent at guard with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves anchoring the backcourt. Depth has been an issue, however, particularly with Reaves missing 25 games due to a calf injury and Doncic being absent from eight.
Thankfully, NBA insider Chris Haynes is reporting that Conley and the Bulls are expected to come to terms on some kind of agreement to all but instantly end their partnership.
Sources: Veteran guard Mike Conley Jr. isn’t expected to stick with the Chicago Bulls. Both sides will work on proper path to move forward. Conley will be a target for a team in need of point guard depth. pic.twitter.com/17y6A2dHKq
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 4, 2026
If that ultimately leads Conley to the buyout market, then it may be worthwhile for the Lakers to explore how he fits in the locker room and rotation.
Lakers must consider adding Mike Conley if he hits buyout market
Conley, 38, is in his 19th NBA season. Though he isn't quite the All-Star that he used to be, he's still revered as a locker room presence and respected for his ability to play mistake-free basketball based on strong fundamentals and a high basketball IQ.
There are concerns over his uncharacteristically poor shooting in 2025-26, but the Lakers wouldn't be wagering much by simply adding him via the buyout market.
Conley shot at least 40.8 percent from beyond the arc in all but one season between 2020-21 and 2024-25. The lone exception was 2022-23, when he checked in at 38.5 percent. As such, his 32.2 percent shooting in 2025-26 can be at least somewhat reasonably written off as a potential outlier.
If Conley can even begin to return to the level of efficiency he's routinely displayed from beyond the arc, he'd instantly help a Lakers team that ranks No. 18 in three-point field goal percentage.
Furthermore, Conley is a quality playmaker who can get the offense into its sets and find open teammates without the risk of turnovers. He averaged 4.5 assists to just 1.1 turnovers in 24.7 minutes per game last season, and could help save Los Angeles' dreadfully unproductive second unit.
It's entirely possible that Conley will be traded rather than bought out, but if he hits buyout market, the Lakers should at least give consideration to him as an ideal fit.