Former Memphis Grizzlies forward John Konchar was waived by Minnesota hours after the Timberwolves acquired him from Utah in a trade involving Josh Green.
The Minnesota Timberwolves waived forward John Konchar on Saturday, hours after acquiring him in a trade with the Utah Jazz. Minnesota announced both moves in a team release. Konchar spent the first six-plus seasons of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Purdue Fort Wayne in 2019.
Minnesota sent Josh Green and cash to Utah for Konchar and Cody Williams, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Friday night. Charania reported the Timberwolves planned to keep Williams, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, and to waive and stretch Konchar's contract.
Jonathan Kuminga signed a two-year, $12.4 million contract with Minnesota on Wednesday, including a player option for the second year. The Timberwolves were restricted by the second apron. Saturday marked the deadline to waive and stretch a player's salary; Green's $14.7 million deal was considered, but Utah obtained him instead.
Konchar was in the final season of the three-year, $19 million extension he signed with Memphis on July 7, 2022. The deal was fully guaranteed and ran through 2026-27.
Memphis signed Konchar without a draft pick or guarantee. He started with the Memphis Hustle in the G League and remained on the Grizzlies' roster for parts of seven seasons, playing 337 games. Purdue Fort Wayne enshrined him in its athletic hall of fame in January. He left as the school's all-time leading rebounder and second in points and steals.
His 2021-22 season was his career-best, as he played in 72 games and started 7. He averaged 4.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 17.9 minutes per game. That year, he shot 51.5% from the field and 41.3% from three, contributing to Memphis's overall 56-26 record.
The minutes played by Konchar decreased afterward. In the 2024-25 season, he participated in 46 games, starting 4, and averaged 2.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. He needed surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, which kept him out for at least three weeks after December 15. In the previous season, he played in 30 games with 1 start, averaging 3.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Memphis traded Konchar on Feb. 3 in the deal that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah. Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. went out in the same trade. The Grizzlies received Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks. Those picks are the Lakers' 2027 selection with top-four protection, the most favorable of the Cavaliers', Timberwolves', or Jazz's 2027 selections, and the Suns' 2031 selection with no protection.
Konchar finished last season with 56 games and 8 starts across the two teams, averaging 4.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 19.9 minutes. He has played 363 career games with 65 starts and holds career averages of 4.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 46.9% shooting.
Memphis ended 25-57, placing 13th in the West. The Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to Portland for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. They reshaped the roster through the draft and free agency, selecting Cameron Boozer third overall. Tuomas Iisalo starts his second full season as head coach.
Konchar celebrated his 30th birthday in March. He is eligible to sign with any team after passing through waivers.
