Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley signed with the Boston Celtics less than 24 hours into free agency. Conley will enter his 20th NBA season, and he is no longer an everyday rotational player. However, that doesn't change the fact that Conley was a vital part of the Wolves' success as a veteran leader -- making this loss somewhat substantial.
It's not a secret that Conley has an amazing reputation, and that's likely why the Celtics were interested in him. Seeing how his leadership uplifts the team up close and personal, though, will allow the Celtics to truly understand how valuable Conley still is.
After Conley was traded at the deadline, his teammates publicly advocated for him to return and discussed his importance to the team, showing how much his presence was valued. In case you forgot, Conley was traded twice at the deadline and eventually waived by the Charlotte Hornets, which paved the way for him to return to Minnesota.
And while on court, Conley's impact is fairly limited; he is still a stabilizing presence as a playmaker with a high basketball IQ. To some extent, this makes him more impactful than the box score indicates.
Put all of this together, and it's easy to see why Conley was so beloved by teammates and the coaching staff alike in Minnesota.
Mike Conley will be an instant favorite in the Celtics' locker room
When Chris Finch pulled Conley out of the rotation thanks to the arrival of Ayo Dosunmu, he called it "a crime against humanity." Another quote that stands out is when Finch said Conley was "outstanding" in a January game in which he scored zero points.
While these comments are easy to poke fun at, the truth is Conley is a coach's dream. He doesn't make mistakes. He doesn't complain. His basketball IQ is off the charts. And his leadership uplifts those around him.
These traits are why Finch was such a staunch supporter of Conley throughout his tenure with Minnesota, and soon Joe Mazzulla will also be fond of Conley for these same reasons.
When the Wolves traded for Conley back in 2023, they were in need of another adult in the room and a veteran leader. Even after making two conference finals runs, Conley's calming presence and general experience were needed.
The Celtics (who won the championship just two seasons ago) don't necessarily need a veteran leader. But having one can't hurt. And frankly, with the Jaylen Brown trade rumors going around, they actually might need a calming presence like Conley.
At the very least, it's fair to expect that he will soon be a popular player in Boston's locker room due to his likable personality.
While I don't expect Conley to have a major role with the Celtics, I do expect his playmaking and basketball IQ to help him earn some spot rotational minutes. With Derrick White and Payton Pritchard as Boston's lone two point guards, Conley's role might be more robust than some expected.
In any event, the Celtics players and coaches will soon realize exactly why Conley was so beloved in Minnesota.
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