Edwards pleads for veteran point guard's return after trade.
The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Mike Conley earlier this week, but Anthony Edwards is holding out hope that the veteran point guard will find his way back to Minnesota before the dust settles.
After leading the Timberwolves to a come-from-behind 128-126 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, Edwards left no doubt about how much Conley means to him and the rest of the team.
The All-Star guard did not hold back when asked about the 38-year-old floor general who has been by his side since February 2023.
"Mike's my guy, he's like an OG to me," Edwards told reporters. "Always helped me when I was struggling on court. Great conversations off the court, great dude overall."
Then Edwards looked directly into the camera and delivered a message that left no room for guessing. "I keep hearing he can come back, so hopefully he will and I hope he see this. We want you back, Mike. He know we miss him."
The Trade That Started It All
The Timberwolves sent Conley to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday as part of a three-team deal that also involved the Detroit Pistons.
Minnesota did not receive any players in return and only got cash considerations, but the move helped the team get below the first apron and save money on their luxury tax bill.
Just one day later, the Bulls flipped Conley to the Charlotte Hornets in a separate deal, and that second trade is what opened the door for a possible reunion.
Because Conley was traded twice within 24 hours, a rule now allows him to return to the team that originally dealt him if he gets bought out.
The Hornets are expected to part ways with the 19-year veteran, and if that happens and he clears waivers, the path back to Minnesota would be wide open.
Head coach Chris Finch praised Conley before Wednesday's game in Toronto, saying that none of the success they have had over the last few years happens without him.
What Conley Meant to Minnesota
Since arriving in Minnesota at the trade deadline back in 2023, Conley helped transform the Timberwolves into one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
The team made the playoffs in all three of his seasons and reached the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years, something that had never happened before in franchise history.
His leadership and steady hand on the court gave the young core around Edwards a sense of stability that is hard to replace.
This season, Conley's numbers dropped as he moved into a bench role, averaging 4.4 points and 2.9 assists per game on 32.2 percent shooting from the field in 44 games.
The production might not jump off the page, but his value to the locker room went far beyond the stat sheet.
Teammates like Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo both spoke about how different things felt without Conley around, with DiVincenzo saying the bus ride to Toronto felt strange without him sitting next to him.
The Timberwolves Keep Rolling
Even with all the trade deadline noise swirling around the organization, the Timberwolves have stayed focused and continue to stack wins.
Minnesota improved to 32-20 on the season after Wednesday's comeback win over the Raptors, where they overcame an 18-point deficit behind Edwards' 30-point performance.
Edwards is having an incredible year, putting up 29.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the floor and 40.9 percent from three, earning his fourth straight All-Star selection in the process.
If Conley does get bought out and returns to Minnesota on a minimum deal, the Timberwolves would get back a trusted voice and a player who has been through it all with this group.
Edwards has never been shy about speaking his mind, and his message on Wednesday night showed that bringing Conley home is something he truly wants.
With championship hopes alive and the All-Star break right around the corner, getting that familiar face back in the locker room could be exactly what Minnesota needs for the stretch run.