Minnesota Sports Forum

First off I wasn't dying to get Mike Conley and I like Russell quite a bit. I'm not suggesting this is some sort of amazing 3-D chess move by Connelly and the Wolves but it's worth looking at what Conley brings to the Wolves. Some of it will involve comparing Conley and Russell. I actually like both players. Here are some thoughts in no particular order.


3 point shooting. Yes it's a downgrade from Russell but the volume isn't actually that different especially if you do per 36 minutes. Zach Harper said in his trade grade article Conley is shooting like 41% on catch and shoot 3's this year so that's pretty good. Again it's a downgrade but not as much as in the past because Russell to is credit was taking fewer shots this year and being more efficient.

Lower turnovers higher assists. If there is one consistent issue with this Wolves team it's turnovers. Having a guy at PG that's less likely to turn the ball over is a good thing. He is having a pretty good assist year too playing under 30mpg

Solid play. I'm a fan of Russell and other Wolves players but having a guy like Conley who is solid steady does the right stuff a significant portion of the time has value. Russell had made significant progress in finding the right balance in scoring and making plays and taking a back seat but he still had times when he would make bonehead turnovers. I want to mostly mention thing I have facts for but I'd also guess Conley will be more aware and consist and smart on D also. Russell is a smart player but not all the time. I don't know why but it's just not there all the time. Conley from what I've seen in the past it's there a lot. With now Conley, Anderson and hopefully McLaughlin healthy there will always be a steady veteran ball handler on the court with a true PG mentality. This could help some guys who are a little wild. Nowell if he stays could be the biggest beneficiary of playing with that type of PG. I'll also add that the high turnovers are partly because how the Wolves play.

Neither Russell or Conley is an iron man. Over the past 3 seasons Conley has actually played a few more games. Russell has played more minutes. Anywho they are sorta comparable that way. If either player is on my roster I'm worried about them missing some games. Yeah Conley is older. Russell is younger and has missed games. It's not a vast difference at this point.

Lastly as much as I think Russell is actually a pretty good guy and actually a good teammate Conley is a vet leader that's been there done that including playing in 73 playoff games. He isn't gonna have to figure out what to do when the playoffs come he will likely just do his thing. Russell might have figured things out and play well in the playoffs from this playoffs on (of the Lakers make it) but other than a terrific Clippers play in game it hasn't gone too well for him.

Is Conley the answer? The savior? No. He has value he could be a guy that helps the team and he might have some positive effect on the Wolves in helping develop the team. Again I'll give Russell props for doing what a lot of people here asked him to do having the ball less taking less shots and being efficient the past few months but Conley has some positives that could be useful the next few months he is on the roster. It would be great if the Wolves could acquire a young guard to learn from Conley for at least a year.

Ultimately three 2nd round picks, a bit of a flyer on NAW with an inside track to resign him if they want, plus having Conley as a future salary chip is enough value for me to be ok with moving Russell for Conley. Not thrilled but a little more than ok with it. I thought it seemed clear that the Wolves valued Russell to some extent and so the fact that they decided to pull the trigger means they had a reason/s to move on.

Bring on the Mike Conley era I'm ready for it.

I would be remiss to point out that Conley is only one year older than Durant... ;-)

The Zach Harper write up in the Athletic changes my mind a bit. For as talented a player as Dlo is, we were no worse offensively with him off the floor, and much worse defensively with him on it. Conley plays winning basketball, but he needs to stay on the floor, and that's a big if. As long as we can keep Dlo's salary spot, I see the vision now. Time will tell.

Now if we could just trade Gobert back to Utah for Walker Kessler straight up, I'd have a lot less side eye towards TC and this regime.

Also what's more important to KAT? Winning or relationships?....And he's worth more than one bag of chili flavored Frito Lays....atleast 2

WallyWorld wrote:The Zach Harper write up in the Athletic changes my mind a bit. For as talented a player as Dlo is, we were no worse offensively with him off the floor, and much worse defensively with him on it. Conley plays winning basketball, but he needs to stay on the floor, and that's a big if. As long as we can keep Dlo's salary spot, I see the vision now. Time will tell.

Now if we could just trade Gobert back to Utah for Walker Kessler straight up, I'd have a lot less side eye towards TC and this regime.

Also what's more important to KAT? Winning or relationships?....And he's worth more than one bag of chili flavored Frito Lays....atleast 2

No comment on Conley... only that Zach Harper has written some odd, seemingly Wolves hit pieces this season.

I don't think MN really got that much better or worse in this deal. To me it could go either way and Finch wasn't very fond of DLO so it makes sense he's gone. NWA is an interesting flyer if he sticks around, not bad to get a look at a player up close that they may think has untapped potential. I think it's pretty obvious TC didn't think DLO was worth what he was asking for so Mike Conley as an expiring could be a trade chip next year. I know many people think three 2nd's are useless but to me that's the reason this deal got done. Three 2nd's have more value than many realize both as trade assets and as lottery tickets on young talent.

I think DLO for a 1st wasn't possible and this deal actually has value for all three teams.