Inside The Spurs

NBA Trade Rumors: Wolves PG Mike Conley to Spurs?

The San Antonio Spurs could benefit from trading for a veteran, like Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley.

Jeremy Brener

NBA Trade Rumors: Wolves PG Mike Conley to Spurs?
NBA Trade Rumors: Wolves PG Mike Conley to Spurs? /
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The San Antonio Spurs are riding the youth movement, led by future No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama.

However, adding a veteran to the team's young core could be beneficial towards developing the talented players on the squad.

Bleacher Report identified a trade target for each team, selecting Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley, who would be entering his 17th NBA season in 2023-24.

"Mike Conley is one of the league's ultimate game-managing, "get the ball where it needs to go" point guards—exactly the kind of unselfish, by-the-book facilitator who could ensure Wembanyama is positioned for success," Bleacher Report writes.

Conley averaged 11.9 points and 6.7 assists this season with the Utah Jazz and Timberwolves. He was part of the three-team midseason trade that sent D'Angelo Russell back to the Los Angeles Lakers.

While he may not be at his peak, Conley is still a capable facilitator in the league, one that can help make Wembanyama's job slightly easier as he transitions from the European game to the NBA.

San Antonio also is one of the few teams that can maintain the cap space Conley would command. He is projected to make around $24.3 million this season, but only $14.32 million is guaranteed. The Timberwolves would trade him to avoid making that figure. 

The Spurs could also have Conley mentor a potential point guard draftee and if he's ready to take the reins in the second half of the season, trade or buyout the former No. 4 pick to clear up some minutes for the younger players.

It's a short-term move to trade for Conley, but one that can have long-term effects.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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