The Boston Celtics have made a significant move in NBA free agency, signing veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. to a one-year contract on July 1, 2026. The addition of Conley, who is about to embark on his 20th NBA season at age 38, brings a new layer of experience, leadership, and depth to a Celtics backcourt already featuring Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. This deal, reportedly for the veteran minimum, marks a historic milestone—Conley will become just the 14th player in league history to play 20 seasons, joining an elite group that includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Conley’s journey to Boston has been anything but straightforward. After spending the past three and a half years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the seasoned guard faced a turbulent 2025-26 campaign. Initially set to retain his starting role, Conley was benched in favor of Donte DiVincenzo right before the season opener, a move by coach Chris Finch that saw Conley’s minutes and production dip to career lows. He played in 54 games, starting 15, and averaged just 4.5 points, 2.9 assists, and 18.4 minutes per contest, shooting 33.5% from the field. Despite these numbers, Conley’s value to the team never truly faded.
Injuries to DiVincenzo and Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards during the playoffs thrust Conley back into the spotlight. He responded with improved efficiency, shooting 50% from the floor and averaging 4.4 points over 12 postseason games, including five starts. His most notable performance came in Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs, where he posted 12 points and six assists in a crucial road win. As Minnesota’s playoff run ended in the second round, Conley made it clear during his May exit interviews that retirement was not on his mind. "I’m not done yet," he insisted, signaling his intent to continue playing.
Conley’s offseason was a whirlwind of transactions. He was traded at the February deadline as Minnesota looked to shed salary, landing briefly with the Chicago Bulls before being dealt again to the Charlotte Hornets. After being waived by Charlotte, Conley returned to Minnesota on a veteran minimum contract to finish out the season. Now, with the Celtics, he’s poised to take on a steadier role and perhaps recapture some of his career 43.6% field-goal shooting form.
Boston’s decision to bring in Conley was not made lightly. According to sources, Conley and his agents weighed several offers before informing the Celtics brass of their decision. Celtics insider Chris Forsberg described Conley as “the ultimate vibes guy. The ultimate veteran leader. A guy who has been through every situation in the NBA.” Forsberg emphasized Conley’s reputation as a low-turnover, low-usage guard who can still defend and provide a steadying presence, even as he approaches his 39th birthday. “There’s some shades of Jrue Holiday,” Forsberg added, referencing Conley’s basketball IQ and calming influence on the court. “If nothing else, if he is just on the sideline, he’s going to be a great veteran presence.”
Conley’s NBA career began in 2007, when the Memphis Grizzlies selected him fourth overall in the draft. He spent his first 12 seasons in Memphis, earning a reputation for his defensive prowess and leadership. In the 2013-14 season, he even received a vote in the MVP race, averaging 17.2 points and six assists per game. After a trade to the Utah Jazz in 2019, Conley continued to excel, earning his first and only All-Star nod during the 2020-21 season. He spent three and a half years in Utah before being traded to Minnesota, where he helped guide the Timberwolves through a period of transition and growth. His leadership was widely praised, with Anthony Edwards remarking after a playoff win in May, “Mike Conley was an All-Star in the NBA. I think people forget about that. Once upon a time, he was one of the best point guards in the league.”
Conley’s off-court legacy is just as impressive. He’s the son of Olympic gold medalist Mike Conley Sr., who won the triple jump at the 1992 Barcelona Games and a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Conley Sr. also made his mark as an NBA agent, representing his son for the first 12 years of his career. Mike Conley Jr. played one season at Ohio State, averaging 11.3 points and 6.1 assists, and led the Buckeyes to an NCAA championship appearance alongside future No. 1 pick Greg Oden.
Perhaps most notably, Conley is a four-time recipient of the NBA Sportsmanship Award (2014, 2016, 2019, and 2023), the most in league history since the award’s inception in 1996. This recognition underscores his reputation as one of the game’s true professionals. Celtics fans are no strangers to the award, with Derrick White and Jrue Holiday having won it in recent years.
With the Celtics, Conley is expected to fill a vital backup role behind White and Pritchard, offering both on-court stability and invaluable locker room wisdom. Boston’s front office hopes his presence will help the team rebound from last season’s stunning first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics have also made moves to bolster their frontcourt, signing Mitchell Robinson to a three-year, $47.4 million contract. While Robinson will anchor the paint, Conley’s steady hand and unflappable demeanor could be just what Boston needs to navigate a challenging Eastern Conference.
While the financial details of Conley’s contract have not been publicly disclosed, it’s clear that both the player and the franchise see this as a mutually beneficial partnership. For Conley, it’s a chance to chase a championship with a storied franchise and perhaps finish his career on a high note. For the Celtics, it’s an opportunity to infuse the roster with veteran savvy and championship experience.
As the NBA offseason continues to unfold, all eyes in Boston will be on how Conley integrates into the Celtics’ rotation and whether his arrival signals a new era of leadership and resilience for the team. With his 20th season on the horizon and a Hall of Fame-worthy resume in tow, Mike Conley Jr. is ready for one more run—this time in green and white.