Overview
- ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Mike Conley intends to return to Minnesota once he clears waivers, with both sides coordinating the timing of the deal.
- Conley was traded from the Timberwolves to the Bulls, then flipped to the Hornets, who waived him, which makes him eligible to rejoin Minnesota under the Andrew Bogut precedent.
- The Timberwolves dropped below the first luxury-tax apron by moving Conley’s $10.7 million salary, and a prorated minimum deal would preserve much of those savings.
- Minnesota has two open roster spots after acquiring Ayo Dosunmu in a separate trade, so no additional move is required to add Conley.
- Anthony Edwards publicly urged a reunion, and despite Conley’s career-low production this season, the team values his leadership and backcourt stability.