The Minnesota Timberwolves have managed to keep another member of their core on a new deal, after signing veteran point guard Mike Conley to a two-year extension, worth $21 million. Conley will now stay with the squad through the summer of 2026 and will not hit free agency this summer.
Mike Conley moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves a year ago (February 2023) and became a vital part of the team’s system, especially this year. The star guard has helped the Timberwolves rank first in defensive rating (108.2) and third in net rating (7.0).
Conley has averages of 10.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists, on 44.2 percent from beyond the arc, on 28.9 minutes on the floor, for a Minnesota Timberwolves team that is on top of the West with a 39-16 record.
The Timberwolves, who have won four in a row, are part of a four-team race for the top spot in the West, along with the OKC Thunder, LA Clippers and reigning champions Denver Nuggets. Just three games separate these four teams.
Minnesota has $175M in salary next season.
The Conley Jr. extension all but assures Minnesota will be a second apron team. https://t.co/H50PzEnVjh
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 19, 2024
Minnesota Timberwolves have all star players under contract for the foreseeable future
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a win-now mode and have emerged as a top title contender in the Western Conference. At the same time, they want to stay competitive for the foreseeable future and they have their star players under contract.
Following Mike Conley’s contract extension, Conley, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid are expected to stay with the team for at least a couple more seasons, which extends the Timberwolves’ championship window.
“Probably Minnesota and [Anthony Edwards]. They’re playing really well and Ant has just taken his game to another level,” LA Lakers’ megastar Anthony Davis told media a few days ago on which team is the toughtest the Lakers’ have played against this season, via Sports Illustrated.
“Probably Minnesota.”
Anthony Davis when he was asked who the best team the Lakers have played all year is. @FanDuel pic.twitter.com/tCfHWzsENa
— 𝙉𝘼𝙅 (@najeeadams_) February 17, 2024
That said, the Timberwolves will look to maintain this consistency on both ends when the NBA returns to action on Thursday, as they aim at nothing but a championship run this season.
Still, the way the franchise operates shows that the creation of a team that can challenge for the title year after year is their primary goal.
