Chris Finch has a history of sticking with trusted veterans, even during lengthy mid-season struggles.<\/p>\n
Kyle Anderson couldn\u2019t find his shot and at times crushed Minnesota\u2019s offensive spacing because of it two years ago.<\/p>\n
Julius Randle\u2019s fit was clunky, at best, over the first half of last season.<\/p>\n
Yet the Timberwolves\u2019 coach never flinched in regards to his backing of both players. Anderson\u2019s spot in the rotation was never threatened, nor was Randle\u2019s spot in the starting lineup.<\/p>\n
Finch\u2019s patience paid off in the playoffs with both guys, with Anderson serving as a key cog in Minnesota\u2019s run to the Western Conference Finals in 2024, and Randle doing the same in 2025.<\/p>\n
Mike Conley is another test. Frankly, a reboot of one from a year ago for Finch.<\/p>\n
The veteran point guard is struggling with his shot this season, hitting just 34% of his 3-point attempts this season. That number plummets to 24% since Dec. 1.<\/p>\n
Which renders Conley as a de facto \u201czero\u201d in the scoring department in his current state. He hasn\u2019t been effective attacking off the bounce over the last two seasons. So when the outside shot isn\u2019t falling, he\u2019s simply not a threat to score in any fashion. Conley hasn\u2019t produced a single point in either of Minnesota\u2019s last two losses to San Antonio or Utah.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s frustrating for fans to watch. Pitchforks were out with added force following Minnesota\u2019s inexplicable loss to the tanking Jazz on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Minnesota\u2019s current three-game skid has led to similar calls from various corners of the internet for the coach to take action on a struggling veteran. Will he?<\/p>\n
There are compelling reasons to this season. Conley\u2019s net rating \u2013 how the team is performing when he\u2019s on the floor \u2013 is worst among all current rotational players.<\/p>\n
Plus, the Timberwolves have actual options to turn to. Conley exiting the rotation could free up playing time for rookie center Joan Beringer if the likes of Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels slid down positions in the lineup. Or, more plausibly, Jaylen Clark and\/or Bones Hyland could simply absorb Conley\u2019s minutes.<\/p>\n
Those are more enticing routes for Finch to take than demoting a struggling Randle last season to promote a struggling Reid. Or to take Anderson out of the rotation in favor of \u2026 no other real legitimate NBA option two years ago, when depth pieces like Troy Brown and Shake Milton struggled so mightily in Minnesota they were dealt during the season for Monte Morris, who hasn\u2019t regained his NBA footing at other stops over the last two years.<\/p>\n
Minnesota could also make a move at or prior to the trade deadline to upgrade the roster at the guard position and potentially force Finch\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n
But he could still stick with Conley. He trusts Conley and what he brings to the floor \u2013 Conley\u2019s decision-making with the ball and team defense are very much still positive assets for this team \u2013 even if that package doesn\u2019t include an ounce of scoring. There could be something to say for Conley\u2019s mere presence on the court. The last two games he sat for rest purposes in December \u2014 against Atlanta and Brooklyn \u2014 were both embarrassing losses for Minnesota.<\/p>\n
The tide could turn on the shooting. Conley shot 36% from deep pre-Christmas last season, and 44% from deep after the holiday. A similar bounce back is no guarantee. Conley is now 38 years old. Father Time does eventually come for all.<\/p>\n
And it won\u2019t be as easy for the veteran \u2013 who has started his entire career up until this season \u2013 to find the rhythm he\u2019s searching for in his diminished reserve role. But that\u2019s the job currently available on this roster. It\u2019s on Conley to find a way to fill it. If he can\u2019t, Finch may eventually have to make a tough decision.<\/p>\n
But history suggests the coach will give the player who has done so much for the team in recent years every chance to correct course before taking an alternative route.<\/p>\n
It also suggests he\u2019s right for doing so. A slow trigger may be the most accurate shot.<\/p>\n
![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/STP-Z-CONLEY-0122-03.jpg\")
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 16: Mike Conley #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves walks to the locker room for half time during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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