If the Utah Jazz decide to make any moves at this season’s deadline, their best bet would be submitting an offer for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley. Getting a deal done would likely mean sending Ricky Rubio and Derrick Favors to Memphis, but that is a risk that the organization might be willing to take.
Depending on what negotiations actually look like, Conley could be in a different uniform following the NBA trade deadline on February 7th.
One of the major ways that he’d be beneficial to the Jazz is by providing a veteran presence that — above all else — can be a consistent threat on both ends of the floor.
An earlier trade this season that has worked out for all involved sent Kyle Korver from Cleveland back to Utah for the second time in his career.
https://twitter.com/jtylerconway/status/1091099512498802688
Since then, it’s allowed the Jazz to spread the floor better and has provided a great deal of outside shooting.
Conley’s $30 million salary can be a daunting number to look at upon first glance, but when you consider what comes with that price tag, the Jazz have a tough decision to make. It’s not that Rubio isn’t capable of being a top performer in Utah or that Favors is the kind of player that can be easily replaced — but the Jazz aren’t meeting their expectations right now.
Jazz Playoff Hopes Far From Safe
As of this writing, the Jazz are barely in the playoff picture with the Clippers, Kings, Lakers, Timberwolves and Mavericks all within five games of their position.
A move for Conley would give them more certainty moving forward throughout this season, especially if they get in a playoff battle against a top team in the first round out west. This move, however, will need to happen quickly, as Detroit (and probably other suitors) are interested in the vet as well.
Conley is currently averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game this season.
