NBA rumors: 5 teams that could trade for Mike Conley
1. Utah Jazz
The Jazz were rumored to be interested in Conley at the trade deadline, with a final offer to the Grizzlies that reportedly had them unwilling to include Dante Exum.
Utah has had exploratory discussions with Memphis on a potential swap headlined by Mike Conley and Ricky Rubio in advance of next week's trade deadline, according to league sources.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 1, 2019
Utah's final offer to the Grizzlies for Mike Conley, per @Tjonesonthenba on the show: First-round pick, second-round pick, and expirings, dollar for dollar. Grizzlies asked for Exum and were told no.
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) February 6, 2019
Since he’s a former lottery pick (No. 5 overall in 2014) who has never gotten on track in his career due to injuries, and he’ll still only turn 24 this summer, Utah’s attachment to Exum is easily explainable and not wanting to include him in a deal for Conley in February is fair from a broad perspective. But unless they re-sign Ricky Rubio, the Jazz will have a hole to fill at point guard.
Via ESPN’s Trade Machine, here’s a deal that works for Utah to get Conley. Let’s assume they’ll add a first-round pick, and maybe a second-round pick too as was reported in their offer at the trade deadline.
Utah gets: Conley
Memphis gets: Exum, SF Joe Ingles, F Jae Crowder
Kyle Korver could be substituted for Crowder, but Crowder is a more versatile player and would surely appeal to Memphis more. Georges Niang could also be added to a deal, as a young player with a better opportunity to play with the Grizzlies.
Next. 2019 NBA Playoffs; 5 bench players who could swing a game. dark
With appealing pieces who have contracts to make the money work, the Jazz seem like an easy favorite to trade for Conley. It’s just a matter of pulling the trigger this offseason.