Veteran point guard Mike Conley recently returned to Minnesota after a brief stint away, having been traded to Chicago and then Charlotte prior to the deadline before re-signing with the Timberwolves last week.
As he enters his 19th NBA season, Conley understands his role may involve fewer minutes, but he says he remains ready to contribute whenever the team needs him, according to Andrew Dukowitz of Zone Coverage.
The experienced guard acknowledged that the team’s younger backcourt players are entering the most important stages of their careers and deserve the opportunity to take on larger roles, while he focuses on supporting the group in any way possible.
“I’m getting older, man (laughs), that’s one thing, but I just think that it’s their opportunity more than it is mine,” Conley said of his backcourt teammates.
“ … They’re right before their prime or in their prime. They should be getting these runs, they should be getting these big minutes … I’ve done all that, and I can be the stop gap here and there or the pinch hitter when you need me or whatever you need, but I’m prepared for that … like I said, I’m just happy to be here and help the guys as much as I can.”
Conley has played 19 seasons for the Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Jazz. He has averaged 13.7 points, 5.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 1,216 regular-season games.
He was selected to play in 1 All-Star game.
Timberwolves Notes: Gobert, Edwards, Conley, Reid https://t.co/YH6hipxJXY pic.twitter.com/j5Z2MrxppX
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 22, 2026
