SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 22: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 22, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
NBA trade rumors: Mike Conley doesn’t want to play for Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have been pushing hard to bring in the Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley, but the point guard may have other plans.
Utah Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey and his brain trust have reportedly been aggressive in their attempts to upgrade the team’s roster ahead of Wednesday’s NBA trade deadline. To that end, Memphis Grizzlies point-man Mike Conley has been a key figure in trade talks. However, Utah’s apparent pursuit of Conley may have hit some snags.
First, it was reported that the Grizzlies were seeking multiple first-round picks in potential deals; that’s likely more than the Jazz have offered. Now, it’s being reported that Conley is less than interested in playing in Utah and would prefer a move to the Eastern Conference.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst was the first to report on Conley’s aversion to the Jazz. The New York Times’ Marc Stein later said that he had heard the same from his own sources.
Given his age, high salary and injury history, there was already some risk involved in bringing in Conley. If he truly doesn’t want to end up with Utah and the Grizzlies aren’t willing to take less than two first-round picks, it would seem trade talks have hit troubled waters.
For Conley’s part, a move east would likely mean an easier road to All-Star appearances and playoff berths, which could definitely influence his outlook.
Still, Lindsey and the Jazz could decide to pursue a deal regardless.
The Jazz are said to have offered Memphis a package including Ricky Rubio, Derrick Favors, a first-round pick and a second-round pick in exchange for Conley. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors have reportedly tried to swing point guard Kyle Lowry for him. The Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers have also been in pursuit.
Speaking of Lowry, Windhorst mentioned on The Jump that the Raptors guard could be the Jazz’s Plan B. Like Conley, he has a salary hovering over the $30 million mark per annum — and he’s older at 33 — but his deal has less years and the Jazz have looked his way in the past.
The four-time All-Star will make $31 million this season and $33.3 million next year before hitting unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2020.
Lowry is averaging 14.2 points per game and is the league’s No. 2 assist man at 9.2 per contest this season. He’s a career 37-percent shooter from 3-point range, but is connecting at just 32.6 percent in 2018-19.
Check out The J-Notes’ Jared Woodcox’s thoughts on Lowry to the Jazz HERE.
