Minnesota's head coach sent a heartfelt message about the veteran point guard ahead of Wednesday's matchup in Toronto.
The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Mike Conley earlier this week in a move that left teammates emotional and the fan base grateful for everything the veteran brought to the organization.
Before the Wolves faced the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, head coach Chris Finch made sure to acknowledge just how much Conley meant to the franchise during his three seasons in Minnesota.
"None of the success we've had the last few years happens without him," Finch said pregame.
A Culture-Changing Presence
The 38-year-old point guard arrived in Minnesota at the trade deadline in February 2023, and the results speak for themselves.
With Conley running the show, the Timberwolves made the playoffs in all three seasons while reaching the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years.
That level of postseason success had never been seen before in franchise history, and Finch wanted to make sure people understood how big of a role Conley played in building that winning culture.
It was not just about what Conley did on the court either.
Teammates like Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo spoke about how much they would miss having him around after the trade went down on Tuesday.
DiVincenzo said the bus ride to Toronto felt different without Conley sitting next to him, and Gobert called him a key reason why the Timberwolves have been able to reach the heights they have as a team.
Finch echoed those sentiments by pointing out that Conley's leadership and steady presence helped hold everything together during difficult moments.
The Trade and a Weird Wrinkle
Minnesota sent Conley to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday as part of a three-team deal that also included the Detroit Pistons.
The Wolves did not receive any players in return and only got cash considerations, but the trade helped them drop below the first apron and save money on their luxury tax bill.
The move appeared to be a precursor to the team pursuing bigger targets like Giannis Antetokounmpo before the deadline, and Conley understood the business side of the decision.
Things got even more interesting on Wednesday when the Bulls flipped Conley to the Charlotte Hornets in another trade.
Because he was dealt a second time, Conley is now eligible to sign with Minnesota if Charlotte buys him out.
Reports indicate that a reunion is being considered by the Timberwolves, which means the veteran could return on a minimum contract and continue providing the leadership that Finch praised so highly.
Where Things Stand Now
Minnesota sits at 31-20 heading into Wednesday's game against the Raptors, which puts them sixth in the Western Conference standings.
Star guard Anthony Edwards is averaging 29.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists this season while earning his fourth straight All-Star selection.
The team has championship aspirations, and bringing Conley back on a cheaper deal would allow him to continue mentoring the young roster while potentially chasing a ring.
Conley's numbers declined significantly in his final season with Minnesota, as he averaged just 4.4 points and 2.9 assists on 32.2 percent shooting from the field.
However, Finch consistently defended his veteran guard throughout the year by pointing to his basketball IQ and ability to make winning plays in big moments.
The coach knows better than anyone that some things cannot be measured in a box score, and Conley's impact on the Timberwolves went far beyond the numbers.
Whether or not Conley ends up back in Minnesota remains to be seen, but Finch's pregame comments made one thing clear.
The Timberwolves would not be where they are today without him.