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2016 NBA free agency: 5 worst fits for Mike Conley

By John Buhler

Jan 28, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. San Antonio Spurs beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-86. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. San Antonio Spurs beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-86. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

3. player. 29. . West. Southwest. San Antonio Spurs

Why would the San Antonio Spurs not be a great fit for someone? Though Conley could form a strong, new big three with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge should the Spurs miss out on their chance in the Kevin Durant free agency sweepstakes, signing with Southwest Division rival San Antonio might not be good for Conley’s brand.

Conley is beloved in Memphis as the team’s best guard in franchise history. He’s been there for almost all the Grizzlies’ playoff success over the last few years and truly epitomizes the Grit N’ Grind era in Memphis. If he leaves, Grit N’ Grind is essentially over. Going to the hated Spurs doesn’t do well for his reputation.

Though he could win an NBA Championship as part of a new big three in San Antonio in 2016-17, there absolutely will be friction between the incoming Conley and a future Hall of Fame point guard essentially being marginalized in the aging Tony Parker. While Conley is the better of the two point guards entering 2016-17, let’s not forget that Parker is one of the greatest players in Spurs history as a multi-championship winning point guard.

Joining the Spurs might increase Conley’s odds of playing in the Western Conference Finals again or reaching the NBA Finals for the first time, but at what cost to his legacy? He’s not a Hall of Fame player and if he isn’t able to win an NBA Championship with Aldridge and Leonard in the next two years, Memphis will hate him for signing with a rival team.

Next: 2. Dallas Mavericks.

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