Will Mike Conley Command More Cash than Marc Gasol?

Jan 3, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley has one year until he hits Free-Agency, but how much cash will he command from the Grizz?

It is the middle of the offseason and the Memphis Grizzlies have accomplished pretty much all of their goals–in a successful manner to boot.

Their main priority this summer was to re-sign their All-Star center, Marc Gasol. They did just that in a win-win scenario for both parties.

Big Spain got PAID. Gasol signed a long-term contract worth greater than $110 million. To the Grizzlies, he is worth every penny and it certainly shows on and off the court.

Dec 7, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and guard Mike Conley (11) celebrate after a play in the first quarter as Miami Heat guard Norris Cole (30) looks on at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

When discussing the future and large amounts of cash, the Memphis Grizzlies need to be thinking about what they will do this time next year when their star point guard–Mike Conley–hits the market.

Conley means nearly as much to the Grizz as Gasol; however, in today’s basketball world, true centers (such as MG) are few while solid point guards are plentiful. Yet, Memphis knows there is not a point in the league that can control the tempo on both offense and defense quite like Mac-11. He is a do-it-all point guard just as Marc is a do-it-all center.

Additionally, Marc is now 30 years old. Mike is just 27. Together, the tandem has plenty of prime years to compete with each other on the Grizzlies’ roster. This adds to Memphis’ desire to retain Conley to pair with Big Spain for years to come.

A major kicker to Free-Agency discussions is the fact that the NBA’s next/new television deal will be taking effect in the offseason of 2016–Mike Conley’s year of Free-Agency. This is the exact reason as to why MC has refused to sign a contract extension with Memphis despite wanting to remain with the Grizzlies.

The new TV deal will allow NBA teams to throw money more carelessly than they already have in the past few seasons. It will be record-breaking amounts of cash being handed over to players in the association.

To put numbers into perspective, Gasol will be receiving $110+ million over the course of a maximum of five seasons beginning in 2015-16. The first season of Conley’s next deal will begin in 2016-17. Following the next TV deal, a maximum contact for Mike could potentially make his pockets $140 million heavier over five years of duration.

This upcoming season (2015-16) is a contract year for Mike Conley and a lot of water will go under the bridge between now and June of next year. There are several questions that will need to be answered over the course of the season in order for this conversation to be brought up again when Conley’s free-agency period opens.

May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) dribbles the basketball during the first quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 98-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Will Mike continue to be overlooked when it comes to NBA All-Star selections? Another non-appearance could potentially give a slightly cheaper deal to Conley from the Memphis Grizzlies.

How will #11 respond from a tough, season-ending series against the Golden State Warriors? Will he remain on that “next level” that Grizz Nation saw him showcase in May? Mike Conley showed elite leadership at the point guard position on both ends of the floor in the postseason.

How will Conley hold up health-wise in the 2015-16 season? He battled ankle injuries all season long and even suffered the infamous broken face, which he heroically bounced back from in the NBA Playoffs. Will these bothersome issues trouble him next season?

All of these aspects have the potential to play into the amount of cash Mike Conley may receive from the Memphis Grizzlies once his current contract comes to an end. The Grizz most definitely want to retain #11 and there is little doubt about if the will keep him. It is more of a question of how they will decide to keep him. What kind of cash will they throw in his direction?

At this rate, with the new TV deal playing a major role in free-agents’ contracts’ terms of next summer, there will be many more overpaid players in the NBA heading into the 2016-17 season. Thankfully Mike Conley gives as much bang per buck that an NBA club could desire. MC will make an oversized maximum contract worth the cash.

All is well in Grizz Nation, Grizz fans. Conley wants to remain in Memphis beyond this upcoming season and it should only come down to how much money the Memphis Grizzlies want to hand him.

After locking up Big Spain and owning favorable odds of doing the same with Mike Conley, it looks as if the Memphis Grizzlies will be continuing their “contender” status for years to come.

Continue to check Beale Street Bears for the latest news, rumors, and other info of the offseason regarding your Memphis Grizzlies!

Go Grizz!

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