Shattered Lakers Dream Turns Into $21 Million Blessing For Mike Conley Jr as Timberwolves Turn the Tides

36-year-old veteran point guard unlocks fortune. The Minnesota Timberwolves roped in Mike Conley Jr. last year ahead of the trade deadline. It’s a competitive forum and unless the player is a superstar, the franchise would think twice before extending his contract in the late 30s. But, it isn’t the case for Conley as he bags a two-year extension worth $21 million with the Wolves.

Moreover, this fortune came in after his Los Angeles Lakers dream was shattered. During the 2022-23 season, the Lakers were looking for a replacement for Russell Westbrook. Initially, the LA front office eyed Utah Jazz‘s veteran point guard Conley, but at the last minute, they opted for D’Angelo Russell. It was solely considering Russell’s age. One year down the lane, Conley extended his time in the league.

Speaking of the extension in the latest episode of NBA Countdown, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shared a lot of insights about the Wolves’ idea behind the Mike Conley Jr. trade. At the same time, he also dropped the veteran baller’s mindset before setting foot in the Wolves’ court.

Even though the Wolves had stars like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, the team required role players. And the inclusion of Rudy Gobert and Conley made a massive difference. Currently, they look lethal at the top of the Western Conference.

Importantly, Conley didn’t wish to end up with the Minnesota Team during the trade. Wojnarowski said, “Mike Conley, at the time of the trade, he was hoping it might be the Lakers… Clippers. He was not enthusiastic about going to Minnesota, and just a year later, he was eager to sign that extension… He is a player who really tied this group together.”

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Similarly, Adrian Wojnarowski also spoke about the Minnesota management’s idea behind banking on the veteran guard.

Mike Conley Jr. – A missing piece for Gobert

Despite trading a 7-foot center for the team, the management required a guard in the backcourt to activate it. And it was none other than Rudy Gobert‘s Jazz teammate Conley Jr.

While shedding the thought process behind the trade, Woj said, “To make the (Rudy) Gobert partnership work with Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, he (Tim Connelly, President of Wolves) needed a point guard who knew how to play with Rudy Gobert… They wanted his leadership with this young team.”

Fortunately, it seemed to have worked for the Wolves. Meanwhile, the Lakers almost went on to trade D’Lo away. What do you make of the Wolves’ trust in Conley? Let us know in the comments below.