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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Destinations For Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley

By Chris Kern

MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 16: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 16, 2019 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 16: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 16, 2019 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Mike Conley Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have a lot of young players that the Grizzlies could want. The Suns’ first-round pick is off the table though I’d assume. The only possibility I could think of is if they swapped their first-round picks but even then I don’t think the Suns would consider that.

The Suns will likely have the Milwaukee Bucks 2020 first-round pick so that could be on the table. It could convey this year but its top 10 and 17-30 protected so unless the Bucks have an epic collapse they will keep the pick.

In a Conley deal, the Grizzlies should be all about getting as much young talent as possible. With Jaren Jackson Jr. inside they could shift their focus to the perimeter.

The Suns have a handful of guys such as Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, and Elie Okobo. Memphis needs a young guy on the wing they can build around and Jackson and Bridges could both be that.

Jackson has been coming off the bench for the majority of the Suns’ games this season and maybe he could benefit from a change of scenery. Many are already labeling him a bust but this dude is just 21 years old and he has a ton of potential.

Phoenix needs a veteran to lead these young guys if they want any chance at making a playoff push in the western conference.

Bridges is an interesting candidate but it seems that the Suns are currently valuing him more than they do Jackson and while that could change they likely would consider dealing him if they could bring an all-star caliber player.

De’Anthony Melton is another guy who could be considered but he has started 24 games this season so they would likely prefer to keep him on their roster.

Pairing Conley with youngsters Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton would help them be more competitive on the floor as well as helping them develop into leaders on and off the court.

The Suns seem to be going all in on those two going forward and adding Conley would help them in the present and then after his contract is gone after the 2020-21 season they can hopefully be good enough to be a potential destination for free agents.

The Suns do have a couple of young big guys the Grizzlies could consider. Dragan Bender and Richaun Holmes are both guys who could be traded.

Holmes is a part of the rotation while Bender isn’t. They both are free agents after this season so maybe Memphis would want to bring in one of them to see if they could be a part of this team’s future.

Ryan Anderson likely would be involved just to make the money work. Including this season he is slated to make $36 million over the next two seasons.

If the Grizzlies could get back Jackson, Okobo, Anderson and the Bucks first-round pick then I think that is something they should strongly consider taking. They get a couple of young pieces and while the pick will be late first-round it still could bring in a solid piece.

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