Timberwolves Secure Future: Conley Extension Analysis
Discover the impact of Mike Conley's extension on the Timberwolves' future plans and their path to sustained success in the Western Conference.
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One of the biggest questions the Timberwolves had this coming offseason was what to do with Mike Conley. Conley entered the 2024 season on an expiring contract. Since arriving in Minnesota, Conley has helped solidify the Timberwolves as Western Conference contenders.
Conley, age 36, has been remarkably durable this season, starting in 50 of the team’s 55 games. In 74 games as a Timberwolf, Conley has averaged 11.3 points, 6.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game playing just under 30 minutes a night. On Monday, the Timberwolves rewarded Conley with a two-year, $21-million extension that will take him through the 2026 NBA season.
What the Conley Extension Means for the Timberwolves
First off, extending Conley means the team has a starting point guard for the next two seasons. Maybe the Timberwolves keep Monte Morris, whom they acquired at the trade deadline, as Conley insurance, but also gives them time to find a late-round or undrafted point guard to groom for the role. Either way, you can see some direction even if there is no apparent long-term solution on the roster yet.
It also can’t be ignored that Conley’s extension goes through the end of Rudy Gobert’s contract, assuming he picks up his 2026 player option. Conley and Gobert thrived in Utah and that trend has continued in Minnesota. The team is a plus-12.8 in 1,272 minutes together this season. Considering how much the Wolves invested in acquiring Gobert, it makes sense to marry him to a point guard that maximizes his production.
Conley’s productivity and the ability to extend him makes it feel safe to say that the trade to acquire him is one of the best in team history. As a part of a three-team trade, the Timberwolves acquired Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Jazz while sending D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers. The Timberwolves were (rightly) unlikely to re-sign Russell, who was playing on an expiring deal at the time, and acquiring Conley and Alexander-Walker has given the team two valuable players who have helped them claim first place in the Western Conference.
Of course, there are concerns. Conley is 36 years old and while his game isn’t predicated on athleticism or speed, you never know what can happen with a player as they play through their mid-30s. This is why it will be important to moderate and measure his minutes when they can and have spot-start capable players like Morris and even Alexander-Walker if Conley needs a night off.
The Timberwolves also now have a projected $186 million payroll for next season. There are implications for such an expensive roster with the new CBA, but if this team continues winning and takes a series or two this summer, that seems to me like the cost of doing business. I try not to worry about the problems of billionaire owners. It’s really difficult to have a great team that also has cap space. If this team can sustain success, retain the likes of Morris and Alexander-Walker, and hit on the draft picks they do have, they can make it work even if adding buyout players or making trades gets more complicated.
As of now, Wolves fans should be glad the team answered one question for this team’s future early.
Excellent news and piece Derek, it will be interesting to see how the cap will influence who’s on the team next year, especially since they have a first rounder to add to the overly inflated payroll cap!