Minneapolis ? Al Jefferson could have waited until next summer to sign a contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In fact, that was what his agent advised him to do, hoping that a big season and his status as a restricted free agent would have brought the 22-year-old power forward the highest contract allowable under league rules.

Jefferson ignored that advice and signed a five-year, $65 million deal just before the deadline Wednesday night. In the era of “Show me the money!” and “bling bling,” Jefferson’s reason was stunningly humble.

“I didn’t even think I was worth max (money) this year anyway,” Jefferson said at a press conference on Thursday. “I would’ve been a fool to go up there and ask for max, having not really proved myself for that. So the number I got was the number that was my goal from Day 1. And I think it was a win, win situation.”

Jefferson was acquired at the end of July from Boston along with four other players – Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff – and two first-round draft picks for Kevin Garnett, the only superstar the Timberwolves have ever had.