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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, right, passes the ball as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
MINNEAPOLIS— The Minnesota Timberwolves and point guard Mike Conley agreed Monday to a two-year contract extension worth about $21 million that would last through his 19th season in the NBA, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract had not yet been finalized. The league is on a brief hiatus for the All-Star break.
The 36-year-old Conley is in his first full season with Minnesota, after arriving a little over a year ago in a trade with Utah just before the deadline. He’s currently making a little more than $24 million this season on a deal that was set to expire this summer, and this move is another signal that the club is all-in on trying to chase a title with the current core, even if it comes with a hefty luxury tax hit.
READ: NBA: Trade for Mike Conley doing wonders for Timberwolves
The four-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award has provided the Timberwolves an invaluable dose of leadership, maturity and unselfishness for coach Chris Finch and the staff, plus career-best 44.2% shooting from 3-point range. That rate ranks ninth in the league.
“Last year I was coming in here almost deer in the headlights. I was trying to figure it out. It was fast and fast movement and trying to really mesh with everybody’s games as well. And now, I understand everybody on the team,” Conley said. “I understand Finch and what he wants to accomplish.”
His assist-to-turnover ratio (6.08) is the second-best in the NBA. His reunion with former Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert has also helped unlock the big man’s fullest offensive potential after a rocky debut season.
READ: Jazz’ Conley finally gets NBA All-Star game nod
Most of all, Conley has stayed healthy, playing in 50 of 57 games for the Western Conference-leading Wolves (39-16). He has sat out a few times for rest, but mostly chafed at the idea when broached by the coaching staff.
“I don’t know how long I’m going to play, so every time I go out I’ve got to play as hard as I can, play as good as I can, give everything I’ve got, and hopefully it’s enough to win,” Conley said.
The Wolves return from the break Friday and host Milwaukee.