NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 Conley or Gasol trades the Grizzlies have to consider

5. Reggie Jackson, Jon Leuer and Detroit’s 2019 first rounder to Memphis; Mike Conley to Detroit

By making this trade, Detroit would basically be going for broke. Taking on Conley would be a massive financial risk given his alarming Achilles injuries. But he’s a beloved teammate and legendary competitor; he played through a facial fracture against the freaking Warriors back in the 2015 playoffs!  Detroit is a team that’s dying for some playoff success and Conley is a veteran that has nearly a decade of consistent playoff action under his belt.

Although Reggie Jackson was performing well this season until a severe ankle sprain in December, Conley might be a better fit for this team moving forward. Conley’s a more consistent shooter, a better defender and would provide the Pistons with more versatility on both ends of the floor.

As for Memphis, the Grizzlies would recoup a 2019 pick, which would definitely be valuable if Detroit’s gamble didn’t work out. Taking on the contracts of Jackson and Leuer, which both have two years remaining after the end of this season, isn’t exactly enticing. But Memphis has little cap flexibility right now anyway and trading Conley would avoid the potentially disastrous fifth year player option in his deal, which kicks in during 2020-2021.