He’s coming home again. Though, actually, he never left.
Mike Conley is set to rejoin the Timberwolves — eventually — after Minnesota traded him to Chicago on Tuesday, a source confirmed.
The move isn’t expected to happen right away, because minimum contracts are pro-rated to how many days are remaining in the season. And, if they wait long enough, the Wolves could theoretically still sign two free agents off the buy-out/waiver market and still remain under the first apron of the luxury tax.
So, while Minnesota wants Conley back in the building, patience is prudent. It’s possible the two sides could even wait until the all-star break before striking an official deal.
Conley flew from Toronto back to his Minnesota home the day after he was dealt to Chicago, and has remained there since. So, he’s ready whenever the time comes.
The opportunity for this type of reunion is rare.
Had Chicago been the team to waive Conley, Minnesota would not be eligible to re-sign the guard. But because the Wolves trade with the Bulls was made official, and the Bulls then made a second trade to send Conley to Charlotte, a return became a legitimate possibility.
The Hornets waived Conley shortly after the passing of Thursday’s trade deadline.
Conley wanted to weigh all possible landing spots. He was, after all, a free agent. But the opportunity for the 38-year-old to remain in Minnesota with his wife and kids for the season’s duration, while chasing a championship with the coaches and teammates he knows and enjoys, was too good to pass up.
What will be interesting to see is the role Conley has upon his official return. Minnesota has traded for 3-and-D guard Ayo Dosunmu, who figures to slot in as the seventh man in the rotation. That was the spot previously occupied by Conley, who was regularly playing 14 to 22 minutes per game prior to the trade.
Will Conley join the competition for eighth- and ninth-man minutes off the bench behind Dosunmu and Naz Reid, or will he take on more of a bench leadership role? That’s a question for Timberwolves coach Chris Finch to answer.
The trade moved Minnesota under a salary-cap apron and provided ownership with hefty savings on its luxury-tax bill. And the Wolves still get their veteran leader in their locker room.
All is well that ends well?
That will be determined in the coming months. But, for now, a happy homecoming — err, home staying? — is on the near horizon.
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