Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley Jr., Timberwolves
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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots over Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves as Mike Conley Jr. watches.
The Minnesota Timberwolves may have come up empty in their aggressive pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, but a post-trade deadline development has given the franchise unexpected good news.
Veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr., whom Minnesota was forced to trade earlier this week in a salary-driven maneuver tied to its Giannis push, has been waived by the Charlotte Hornets, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Because the Timberwolves did not trade Conley directly to Charlotte, league rules allow Minnesota to re-sign the veteran guard this season — reopening a door that appeared closed just days ago.
Anthony Edwards Pushes for Mike Conley Reunion
Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
GettyMike Conley and Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards celebrate a basket against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Western Conference Playoffs.
Inside the Timberwolves locker room, the desire to bring Conley back has been unmistakable.
After Wednesday’s win in Toronto, franchise cornerstone Anthony Edwards spoke openly about Conley’s importance to the team.
“Mike’s my guy,” Edwards told reporters. “He’s like an OG to me. Always helped me when I was struggling on the court. Great conversation off the court, just a great dude overall. So hopefully we can get him back.
“I don’t really know how it go, but I keep hearing he can come back, so hopefully he will. We want you back, Mike. You know we miss him.”
Edwards’ comments underscored Conley’s value as both a stabilizing floor general and a trusted veteran voice next to a young star still ascending.
Why the Timberwolves Traded Conley in the First Place
Conley’s departure was driven by cap mechanics.
Minnesota dealt the 38-year-old guard in a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons, a move designed to drop the Timberwolves below the first luxury-tax apron.
According to ESPN salary cap analyst Bobby Marks, the deal reduced Minnesota’s projected tax bill from roughly $24 million to about $3.8 million and restored its ability to aggregate contracts — a critical requirement for a Giannis-level trade that ultimately never materialized.
Bulls Flip Conley, Trigger Rare NBA Exception
Instead of buying Conley out, Chicago rerouted him to Charlotte, a sequence that triggered a rare transaction loophole commonly known as the Andrew Bogut Rule.
Because Minnesota did not send Conley to the Hornets, the usual one-year restriction preventing teams from re-signing players they trade does not apply. The same rule allowed Andrew Bogut to return to the Golden State Warriors in 2017 after being rerouted and bought out.
That technicality now gives Minnesota a legitimate path to bring Conley back immediately.
League Chatter Suggests Timberwolves Kept Door Open
While no formal plan has been announced, league insiders have consistently suggested Minnesota never closed the door on Conley.
Both Marks and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line have noted that league chatter points to the Timberwolves intentionally preserving flexibility in case Conley became available again.
The possibility gained traction when Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic’s Timberwolves beat writer, reposted news of Conley’s waiver alongside a YouTube clip of “Coming Home, Pt. II.”
The post was subtle, but among Timberwolves observers, the implication was unmistakable.
Trade Deadline Pivot Opens Roster Spots for Potential Return
After the Milwaukee Bucks informed teams they were keeping Antetokounmpo through the deadline, Minnesota pivoted to a smaller move.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Timberwolves sent Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks to the Bulls in exchange for Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips.
The deal not only marked a swift end to Minnesota’s brief investment in Dillingham but also opened two roster spots, giving the Timberwolves the logistical ability to re-sign Conley without further maneuvering.
What Mike Conley’s Return Would Mean
Conley’s presence last season provided Minnesota with late-game stability, offensive organization, and a veteran counterbalance alongside Edwards.
If he returns, the Timberwolves would reclaim a player they never intended to lose — and do so without sacrificing additional assets. If not, Minnesota still exits the deadline with improved flexibility and a clearer path forward.
Either way, a sequence that began with disappointment after missing on Giannis now carries the possibility of a meaningful win — and a familiar face coming home.