2016 NBA free agency: 5 worst fits for Mike Conley

To prove how weak the 2016 NBA free agency point guard class is, soon-to-be free agent point guard of the Dallas Mavericks Deron Williams might be the third best available point guard after Conley and the Kings’ Rajon Rondo. One might argue that Charlotte Hornets’ Jeremy Lin might have the better 2016-17 than the rapidly declining Williams.

Given that Williams’ best days are clearly behind him, the Mavericks should aggressively pursue Conley in free agency to give Dallas a realistic chance at putting together a contending team in the final years of Dirk Nowitzki’s illustrious NBA career.

Conley might actually help the Mavericks not be an immediate first-round playoff exit next season should he sign with Dallas. The problem with going to the Mavericks is that its best player in Nowitzki is maybe two or three years away from retiring. When that does happen, Dallas has to rebuild and will be one of the worst teams in basketball.

Part of Conley’s charm at playing point guard is his jazz player approach to playing the position. He likes to improvise in the half court offense, conducting his front court players like their are the brass section in a symphony orchestra.

Unfortunately, this may not bode well with head coach Rick Carlisle, who chastised Rondo for his savant approach to playing point guard. For as great of a coach Carlisle is, he sure can run through point guards. He wouldn’t be able to do that with Conley, who will garner a four-year max if he signs with Dallas.

Playing with Nowitzki might seem fun, but playing for a declining team that happens to be a division rival of Memphis’ doesn’t feel like a storybook ending for Conley’s prime as a professional basketball player.

Next: 1. Chicago Bulls.