The Minnesota Timberwolves are atop the Western Conference standings. After defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, Minnesota took sole control of the top spot, while the Thunder tumbled down to three.
Minnesota defeated Oklahoma City without a crucial member of the squad, Mike Conley. In games without Conley, the Timberwolves had gone 1-3 on the season, only defeating the lowly Washington Wizards.
The 36-year-old floor general has been essential to Minnesota's sudden rise. Conley ranks third on the team in plus/minus, second in net rating, and win shares.
Last season, several notable trades in the NBA had a significant impact on the teams involved. Among these trades were the moves that sent the veteran Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Minnesota Timberwolves and D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The trade was part of a three-team deal that also saw future hall of famer Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz. Westbrook was ultimately bought out by the Jazz and would sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
While both Conley and Russell have since remained with their respective teams, it's safe to say that these trades have paid off for both the Lakers and Timberwolves. Conley has been a valuable asset to Minnesota, providing veteran leadership, solid defense, and reliable scoring.
Meanwhile, upon returning to the team that selected him 2nd overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, Russell helped fuel a Lakers team that was six games below .500 to make a deep playoff run. He averaged 17.4 points and shot above 48 percent from the floor and 41 percent from three in 17 appearances after the trade deadline.
Now, as we approach the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, let's revisit and re-grade the trade that helped swing two organizations in the right direction.
Grading the trade for the Los Angeles Lakers
A solid addition and complement alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Upon arrival, Russell was averaging 17.9 PPG and 6.2 APG. His averages remained the same playing third-fiddle to the superstar tandem in the City of Angels.
In addition, the trade for the former first-rounder also saw the Lakers acquire defensive-ace Jared Vanderbilt and 3-point sharpshooter Malik Beasley.
Vanderbilt provided Los Angeles with an elite defender, while Beasley, now in Milwaukee, averaged 11.1 PPG in 14 starts in 26 appearances for the Lakers. The Lakers' move helped to get their season back on track, resulting in a final record of 43-39.
Los Angeles had a remarkable playoff run that caught everyone by surprise. Despite being considered underdogs, they beat the Memphis Grizzlies and the defending NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors. The team was playing exceptionally well, and their impressive performance in the playoffs pleasantly surprised their fans.
During the 17 games played with the Lakers in the last season, Russell played a significant role in their success. He averaged 17.4 PPG and 6.1 APG and shot a career-high 41.1% from 3-point range. He was a valuable asset to the team, and his contribution was essential in the Lakers' playoff run.
Moving ahead to the 2023-2024 NBA season, Russell's performance is nearly similar to the previous season. Albeit he's having a very impressive January.
However, the Lakers are struggling, leaving the team with uncertainty. Despite the team's efforts, they have not been able to replicate their success from the previous season. The Lakers are currently struggling to maintain their position in the league, sitting at ninth place in the Western Conference.
With the 2024 trade deadline approaching, the former 2019 All-Star has once again become the subject of trade rumors. Rumors are circulating that the Lakers are considering trading him to help solve their current issues.
Nonetheless, only time will tell what the future holds for the Lakers and Russell. Whether it be in Los Angeles or on another squad, he provides instant offense and above-average playmaking, especially in the pick-and-roll.
Grading the trade for the Minnesota Timberwolves
At last year's trade deadline, the Timberwolves were sitting at 30-28, fighting to keep playoff hopes alive throughout the second half of the season.
With Conley in tow, the team finished with a 42-40 record, going on to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Play-In Tournament to secure a spot in the NBA playoffs. However, Minnesota ultimately lost in the first round to the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
After a full offseason to build chemistry with the squad including unproven postseason players such as Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and others, the team has exceeded expectations. Conley's previous partnership with Rudy Gobert on the Jazz has proved to be an invaluable asset for the Wolves in bringing out the best in the big man, particularly following an uncomfortable and tense debut.
The 17-year veteran is averaging 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 44.6% from the field and 43.9 percent from downtown. Perhaps most importantly, he's only averaging 1.1 giveaways per game.
While the numbers aren't mind-blowing it's the leadership and efficient play that counts the most for the impact Conley has made. He's never provided much of a wow factor and it's especially telling now, as he's entering the twilight years of his career.
Last season, the team often found themselves struggling in critical moments, but with Conley's maturity and leadership, the team has been able to turn things around as Minnesota currently sits atop the Western Conference with a 33-14 record.
Conley's leadership and experience have been invaluable in helping the team navigate through challenging situations. He ranks first on the team in clutch plus/minus. Additionally, he's shooting 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three, and 100 percent from the charity line when the game matters most.
His calm and collected demeanor on the court has been a breath of fresh air for the team, especially during high-pressure games. Also, Conley's skillful ball-handling and superb decision-making have helped the team tremendously.
His ability to make smart decisions with the ball has helped Minnesota cut down on turnovers. Without Conley manning the point, the Timberwolves would likely rank dead last in the association.
Overall, Mike Conley has been an integral asset to the team and has played a significant role in Minnesota reaching contending status.