MINNEAPOLIS (AP) –The Minnesota Timberwolves are bringing back reserve forward Taurean Prince, who became a vital part of the second unit in his first season with the club.

Prince and the Timberwolves have agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract extension, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the team has yet to announce the extension, which will keep the 6-foot-7 Prince out of the market when the free agent of the NBA and trade talks will officially open Thursday night.

Acquired last summer from Cleveland in a trade for popular point guard Ricky Rubio, Prince warmed up to coach Chris Finch’s system after a slow start and shot a career-high 45.4% from the floor during his sixth season in the league. His shooting rate from inside the 3-point line was also a career high at 56.5%, giving Finch the flexibility to play Prince anywhere depending on the size of the lineup.

Minnesota Timberwolves F Taurean Prince has agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract extension, sources have told ESPN.

— Adrien Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Prince was drafted with Baylor’s 12th overall pick and landed in Atlanta to start his NBA career in 2016. Since then, he’s been traded three times in the past three years — to Brooklyn, Cleveland and Minnesota. He started 200 of the 260 games he played in his first four seasons, but since then has only 18 starts in 110 games.

Finding a fit with the Timberwolves was way more important than a few extra minutes on the floor, Prince said.

“The camaraderie of the group,” Prince said during the playoffs when asked why he wanted to stay. “Everyone here, you have 10, like 15 guys who are on the same page at all times, whether it’s on or off the pitch. Go out and all. You do not understand. I really haven’t felt that since college. It’s a big step.

Prince was the only one of Minnesota’s top 11 players by usage last season to be eligible for free agency, so this summer shouldn’t be a particularly active one for the Timberwolves. The top priority is to keep their cornerstone in place with an extension for the Karl-Anthony Towns Centre.

Still, new president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has proven to be an aggressive roster manager. As point guard D’Angelo Russell enters the final year of his current contract with a salary cap of more than $31 million, he is a candidate to be moved to allow for the addition of complimentary pieces to Towns and star guard Anthony. Edwards.