Mike Conley Buyout Could Return to Minnesota Timberwolves

The 2026 trade deadline quietly shuffled veterans into buyout range and nudged several rosters. Mike Conley was traded twice and could return to Minnesota; insiders say "that is in fact being considered." Lonzo Ball was salary dumped and remains "a free agent point guard in demand." Chris Paul landed in Toronto and now, as Shams put it, "his NBA future is obviously very much up in the air." Merlin sees a league hunting quick fixes. Minnesota could reclaim a steady locker room leader while contenders browse the buyout market for veteran poise. Ball still offers size and smarts as a reserve. Paul’s story feels unresolved, and his next move will tell us whether this is an epilogue or a surprise encore.