NBA Rumor: Mike Conley to Jazz?
33 rumors in this storyline
More Rumors in this Storyline
Eric Woodyard: Donovan Mitchell to @usatodaysports on Mike Conley trade: “He’s a great player. He’s very underrated in my opinion. He does a lot of getting into the lane and being able to find guys and also I can learn a lot from him so as far as being a point guard.”
Mike Conley: Meant to say city of Salt Lake! Lol 😂 🤦🏾♂️
Yossi Gozlan: Grizzlies can fit Crowder and Grayson into TPEs, essentially allowing them to trade Conley just for Korver. This lets them create an NBA record $25M trade exception. They could also generate up to $22.2M in cap space, but they’d forfeit the TPE and bird rights to free agents. pic.twitter.com/7glPZniVeh
Jazz favorites to land Mike Conley?
Numerous rival teams firmly believe that the Memphis Grizzlies will be trading veteran point guard Mike Conley sooner rather than later — with Utah still thought to be at the front of the line like it was at the February trade deadline. According to one trade scenario circulating Monday night, Memphis could receive a package from Utah headlined by the No. 23 pick in Thursday’s draft as well as a future first-rounder from the Jazz.
The Grizzlies are intensifying talks to potentially move franchise cornerstone Mike Conley Jr., league sources told The Athletic. Memphis has been in conversations with the Jazz and Utah is a frontrunner to acquire Conley should the Grizzlies trade the point guard during draft week, league sources said.
Memphis seriously discussed sending Conley to the Jazz prior to the deadline, and those talks could pick back up in June, according to multiple front office executives. The Kings, who owe their pick to the Celtics, could also bolster Boston’s chances at Davis if they keep losing (the pick would go the Sixers if it’s no. 1). Only a couple of games separate teams in the lottery; we’ve entered the doldrums of the season, but the tanking race connects teams to the defining story lines of the summer.
Marc Stein: Utah, meanwhile, has not abandoned its pursuit of Mike Conley, league sources say, even knowing Conley’s preference is to go to the East if he is dealt today. As discussed here yesterday, Memphis may decide its trade options for Conley broaden by waiting until closer to the draft
Tomer Azarly: Per @Brian Windhorst on The Jump, Mike Conley’s agent has made it known he does not want to play with Utah #Jazz. If he’s going to be traded, he would prefer to go to the Eastern Conference.
Marc Stein: Have heard the same as Windy: There is reluctance on Conley’s part to go to Utah. That said … this is not the first time that the Jazz have heard that. Conley is owed $66 million over the next two seasons. If Utah and Memphis came to terms, Conley would have to go …
Eric Woodyard: Derrick Favors’ camp has been in touch with the Jazz, and to their understanding, the trade rumors are real with him and Rubio being linked to a Mike Conley Jr. deal. However, both players are still here in Utah and remain focused on the Suns tonight until further notice.
According to a league source, Detroit and Memphis had a conversation about Gasol a month ago but nothing manifested from those early engagements. So, now that the process of elimination has killed any suspense, Conley is very much on Detroit’s radar. According to a league source, as it stands now, the Pistons and the Jazz are the two frontrunners in the Conley Sweepstakes.
In order to potentially tip Memphis away from the Jazz’s offer, which will likely involve Ricky Rubio, a 2019 first-round pick and an assortment of contracts to make the finances match up, Detroit will have to go one step further in the asset department. Jackson and a first-round pick won’t get it done. Rubio’s contract comes off the book next year, so in order for the Grizzlies to be enticed to hold onto Jackson for another year, the Pistons will likely have to add in second-year guard Luke Kennard, who is of interest to Memphis, according to a league source, and the only tangible asset on the roster.
It’s been firmly reported that the Utah Jazz have been offering Ricky Rubio and their 2019 pick for Mike Conley, which doesn’t quite work financially. Utah has to add more money to the deal. The working assumption off of that report has been that the Jazz would be more likely to want to add Derrick Favors ($17 million non-guaranteed next season), while the Grizzlies would prefer young guard Dante Exum (roughly $10 million in each of the next two seasons).
The Athletic’s Jazz writer Tony Jones said on a podcast last night that the Jazz have added a second-round pick to their offer. There’s not just smoke around Conley to the Jazz. The flames are pretty visible.
Marc Stein: “[Trading Mike Conley] is not easy, but I think from a pure basketball perspective, he would certainly help the Jazz. Everything I’ve heard today in my checking is, yes, Utah is still on this, they would love to find a way to make this happen if they can, so I think [Conley to Utah] is one we have to keep an eye on. I know people have thrown out Indiana with Conley’s ties there, that would be a fun one to see happen, but the chatter to this point has really been about Conley landing in Utah. So if there is a leader in that race, I would have to say it’s the Jazz.”
Hey James, in your eyes what is the most realistic move this team makes? Trading somebody like bullock or Ish? Or is it more realistic to think something more like a mike Conley deal before Thursday? James Edwards: Most realistic is moving Bullock, Ish or Stanley Johnson, yes. I think Conley could happen. I think Conley goes to Utah or Detroit.
Tony Jones: I’d say the two sides are seriously talking. As is Memphis and Detroit.
Tony Jones: Hard for me to do that without giving away who is in the trade. Let’s just say Utah has an offer on the table
Utah doesn’t need another great player to be a great team, though of course they would happily take one. A small upgrade at the right position could have an outsize impact. That might come at point guard; Utah has engaged in talks with Memphis about Mike Conley already, and those talks may pick up steam as the weekend approaches, sources say.
As we head into trade deadline season, the Jazz continue to search for that dynamic third piece that up to this point has eluded them, league sources tell The Athletic. According to sources, the Jazz have expressed interest in Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley and Wizards small forward Otto Porter Jr., both of whom have been put on the trade block by their respective teams. Does that mean the Jazz will for sure actively make offers for one or both? Not necessarily. But it does mean if circumstances align, the Jazz may have interest in throwing their hat into the ring.
August 4, 2021 | 10:09 am EDT Update
Kemba Walker to New York
Adrian Wojnarowski: Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker has agreed to a contract buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and upon clearing waivers, plans to sign with the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN.
Shams Charania: Kemba Walker is finalizing a contract buyout with the Thunder and the New York Knicks will sign the four-time NBA All-Star as a free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
August 4, 2021 | 9:57 am EDT Update
Hawks, John Collins agree to five-year deal
Adrian Wojnarowski: Restricted free agent F John Collins has agreed to a five-year, $125M deal to stay with the Atlanta Hawks, @excelbasketball agents Sean Kennedy and Jeff Schwartz tell ESPN.
Nets Daily: As for Dinwiddie, they’re taking hard line with Wizards. They don’t want to take back big bucks player. But ultimately they’re not going to stand in the way of him getting paid. Crunchtime is Friday when Westbrook trade can become official. Do they get into it?
Nets Daily: Finally, despite some propaganda that Tsai wouldn’t spend, this year’s Nets and Warriors will be the two most expensive teams ever with $300 million rosters. It’s an enormous commitment. Insiders say he’s been unwavering in providing resources needed.
The San Antonio Spurs had interest in signing Lauri Markkanen in free agency, but his asking price exceeded what they were willing to pay, according to Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective. San Antonio, however, signed Zach Collins to a three-year, $22 million deal despite his multiple ankle surgeries. The number San Antonio gave Collins offers some insight into what Markkanen is seeking well beyond that.
