When the Minnesota Timberwolves salary-dumped Mike Conley to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, it was clear that he had no future in Chicago -- a buyout felt inevitable. However, on Wednesday morning, it was rumored that Conley could be traded and bought out again. In this scenario, he could actually return to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
And that happened on Wednesday afternoon, as Conley and Coby White were traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and three second-round picks.
Just in: The Chicago Bulls are trading Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. to the Charlotte Hornets for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/NnHXT5b8lR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
Mike Conley could be on his way back to Minnesota
Much like the Bulls, Charlotte has little use for the 38-year-old veteran, and with this possibly being Conley's last season, he'd likely want to play for a contender. Trusted Timberwolves reporter Dane Moore noted that if Conley is indeed bought out, he could return to Minnesota.
Now that Mike Conley has again been traded, he is now eligible to be signed by the Timberwolves if he is bought out of his current contract.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) February 4, 2026
And that is in fact being considered, I’m told. https://t.co/g4rupUa70P
Perhaps Conley opts to sign with a different team. However, if there's a chance to return to Minnesota, why wouldn't he take it? By all accounts, Conley loved Minnesota, and likewise, he was beloved by his teammates and the organization. He is a consummate professional and understands that the NBA is a business, so I don't think he'd have any hard feelings about the original trade.
Trading Conley in the first place was a financial move. The Wolves got under the first-tax apron, which allows them to take in slightly more money in a possible trade. Of course, this was done with the goal of trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, if they strike out on Giannis, the Wolves will likely pivot to trading for guard depth. Their financial flexibility will make a trade easier. Whether they trade for Giannis, trade for a guard, both, or neither, bringing Conley back on a cheaper deal seems possible.
Yes, at this stage of his career, Conley's on-court value is limited. Notably, Conley is averaging just 4.4 points on 32.2 shooting from the field. Regardless, there's no denying that his presence as a veteran leader is valued by the Wolves. Plus, with how bad the Wolves' guard depth has been this season, it can't really hurt to bring Conley back. Ideally, the Wolves find a way to make a bigger move, though.
With less than 24 hours until the trade deadline, all eyes will be on a possible Giannis trade. Nevertheless, bringing Conley back is clearly something to watch for.