Density functional theory (DFT) has been used to look into the electronic structure of [M(tpm)]+ molecular ion conformers (M ) Cu, Ag; tpm ) tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane) and to study the energetics of their interconversion. Theoretical data pertaining to the free tpm state the intrinsic instability of its κ3-like conformation, thus indicating that, even though frequently observed, the κ3-tripodal coordinative mode is unlikely to be directly achieved through the interaction of M(I) with the κ3-like tpm conformer. It is also found that the energy barrier for the κ2-[M(tpm)]+ f κ3-[M(tpm)]+ conversion is negligible. As far as the bonding scheme is concerned, the tpm f M(I) donation, both σ and π in character, is the main source of the M(I)-tpm bonding, whereas back-donation from completely occupied M(I) d orbitals into tpm-based π* levels plays a negligible role.