John Konchar Becomes Free Agent After Timberwolves Waive Veteran Wing

John Konchar is officially a free agent after the Minnesota Timberwolves waived the veteran wing following their acquisition of him from the Utah Jazz.

Konchar was included in Minnesota’s August trade with Utah, which saw the Timberwolves acquire Konchar and Cody Williams in exchange for Josh Green and cash considerations. However, Minnesota quickly decided to move on from the 30-year-old, waiving him shortly afterward.

A Quick Stop in Minnesota

Konchar’s time with the Timberwolves lasted only a matter of days.

Minnesota acquired him as part of a roster reshuffle, but the team ultimately chose to keep Cody Williams and clear Konchar’s contract from its books.

The Timberwolves’ decision was officially confirmed on August 30, making Konchar available on the free-agent market.

Eight NBA Seasons of Experience

Before his brief stint in Minnesota, Konchar spent most of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies.

He went undrafted in 2019 before earning a place in Memphis and eventually becoming a dependable rotation player. He appeared in 363 games over eight seasons with the Grizzlies and Jazz, starting 65 of them.

Across his career, Konchar has averaged 4.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 17.6 minutes per game, while shooting 46.9% from the field.

Why Teams Could Be Interested

Konchar isn’t known as a high-volume scorer, but he offers several qualities that can be valuable at the end of an NBA rotation.

The 6-foot-5 wing has developed a reputation as a strong rebounder for his position, versatile defender and willing passer.

His ability to contribute without needing many offensive possessions could make him attractive to teams looking for experienced depth on the wing.

He also showed his all-around ability late in the 2025-26 season. In an April game against New Orleans, Konchar recorded a rare 12-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, along with two steals and a block.

Contract Situation

Konchar originally signed a three-year, $18.495 million contract with Memphis, worth an average of $6.165 million per season. His deal was scheduled to run through the 2026-27 season.

Minnesota’s decision to waive him means he is now available to sign with another team.

For teams searching for an experienced role player, Konchar could provide a relatively low-maintenance option who can defend, rebound and move the ball without requiring a major role.

Where Could He Land?

Konchar’s next destination will likely depend on what individual teams need from their final roster spots.

A contender could view him as a useful defensive and rebounding specialist, while a rebuilding team could value his experience and ability to provide minutes without demanding high usage.

His career three-point shooting has been inconsistent, however, which could limit his market in an NBA increasingly focused on spacing and perimeter shooting.

Still, his defensive versatility and rebounding ability give him a skill set that can complement the right roster.

A Veteran Still Looking for an Opportunity

At 30 years old, Konchar is no longer viewed as a developmental prospect, but his eight seasons of NBA experience could make him a useful addition for a team needing reliable depth.

After being traded from Utah to Minnesota and then waived almost immediately, John Konchar now enters free agency looking for his next NBA opportunity.

The next few weeks should reveal whether a contender sees value in his defense, rebounding and versatility—or whether he will have to wait for an opportunity to emerge during the season.