Heading into the 2025-26 season, point guard play is a key concern for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Specifically, many believe Mike Conley will continue to decline at 38, and second-year guard Rob Dillingham isn't ready for a bigger role. Last season, Conley averaged a career low of 8.2 points and 24.7 minutes.
Conley has clearly declined as a shot-creator and is more of a defensive target, with his mobility also taking a step back. However, his playmaking and 3-point shooting are still top-notch. As a result, Conley's impact with the Wolves this season might surprise you.
Conley's playmaking stabilizes the Timberwolves' offense
Throughout his career and certainly as he's aged, Conley's best trait is his ability to organize an offense. Conley's 4.5 assists per game might not jump off the page, but he posted a stellar 4.25 assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranked 18th in the league last year. Moreover, Conley ranked in the 83rd percentile for assist-to-usage rate per Cleaning the Glass.
For a Timberwolves squad that lacks playmaking next to Anthony Edwards, Conley's stability benefits the team. Similarly, the Wolves have struggled with decision-making as a team, making Conley's playmaking essential.
Conley's 3-point shooting is also key to the Timberwolves' offense
Conley's 3-point shooting is somewhat of an underrated skill. But there's denying it helps him impact the Wolves' offense outside of playmaking.
The Ohio State product shot a stellar 41 percent from beyond the arc last year. Likewise, he has netted 42.7 percent of his triples since being traded to Minnesota in 2023. Most of Conley's damage comes while spotting up; 1.0 of his 1.8 made 3s came off catch-and-shoot plays last year. Impressively, Conley ranked in the 82nd percentile on spot-up plays.
Having a dependable kickout option for Edwards and Julius Randle is incredibly valuable. Conley, along with Edwards, are the lone two Wolves' starters who are dependable shooters. His spot-up shooting helps open up the game for others and is a key reason why the Wolves hit the fifth most 3-pointers last season. Even at 38, Conley's knockdown shooting is a trend that should continue.
Overall, Conley's ability to organize the offense and hit 3s off the catch makes him a key part of the Wolves' offense. Conley's +3.1 net on-off difference last season highlights the clear value of this skill set.
It's understandable to be concerned with Conley's lack of self-creation, and shooting below 40 percent from inside the arc is troublesome. Regardless, Conley still has two key skills that will allow him to make a positive impact, and I think he might surprise some people in a positive way this season.