The NBA trade deadline is now less than 24 hours away, and there’s been plenty of action so far. One player who has had a whirlwind last couple of days is veteran guard Mike Conley Jr.
Conley was originally traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal on Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday, Conley was shipped from the Bulls to the Charlotte Hornets in another trade. Even though the veteran is now a Hornet, one NBA insider thinks this move actually paves the way for a return to Minnesota.
NBA Rules Make Mike Conley Jr.’s Wolves Reunion a Possibility
Conley is not the player he once was, but he’s one of the most respected veterans in the league and is a great locker room presence.
That’s why it was a bit surprising to see the Wolves move on from the veteran for nothing but cap relief. However, it turns out that Conley may not be done with the Wolves, after all.
NBA insider Jake Fischer explained that since Conley has now been traded again, he would be allowed to sign with the Wolves if he’s waived by the Hornets. Conley WOULD NOT have been able to sign back with the Wolves if the Bulls had waived him.
“The league’s bylaws prevent a player from being traded and then waived by the ‘receiving team’ so he can rejoin the team that just traded him away as a free agent,” Fischer explained. “However, if the player is traded a second time and then waived, it is legal for that player to return to his original club.”
It’s possible the Wolves and Conley have a handshake deal worked out for a reunion. There’s no guarantee the Hornets will waive the veteran, though, as they are a very young team that may want some leadership.
Conley is playing a career-low 18.5 minutes per game and just 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 32.2% shooting from the field.
No Player in Return for Conley Raises Curiosity About the Wolves’ Next Move
The Conley trade is interesting because the Wolves didn’t receive a player in return. The team got off of Conley’s money and received cash considerations, leading many to wonder if the team has another deal in the works.
The team has been rumored to be a candidate for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it’s difficult to make the money work. James Harden was another player mentioned as a possibility, but he was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in another blockbuster on Tuesday.
It’s more likely the Wolves make another move on the margins and perhaps try to bring Conley back for the playoff run. The Wolves are currently sitting at 31-20 and holding onto the 7th seed in the Western Conference.
