NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Destinations For Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley
By Chris Kern
New York Knicks
This is a tricky situation for the New York Knicks because we all know they have made it clear they intend on going all in for Kevin Durant this summer.
They do have some contracts on their roster that they will want to get out of and sending some guys to Memphis could be great for doing that.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee are two guys who would certainly be discussed here. Hardaway has $37 million over the next two years and while that final season is a player option it is unlikely he would decline that. Lee will make $12.8 million next season and they will want that money gone.
They certainly wouldn’t want to give up their first-round pick this season but they do have a few young guys who could be considered.
One of the top options is point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. His career got off to a rocky start in Denver but he has really turned it around and is playing at a high level.
He will be a free agent after this season but so are many of the possible young guys Memphis would acquire in this deal which is another reason this deal would be tough.
The Grizzlies may not be willing to trade Conley for a bunch of young guys who could leave in free agency. I’m sure many would be willing to stay in Memphis for money and playing time but you would like at least one player who could be counted on to be their long-term.
Mitchell Robinson is an option for Memphis. The Knicks have really liked how he has played this season but to get Conley it is going to take giving up something of value and since they won’t want to give up this year’s first-round pick then Robinson could be a featured piece in a potential deal.
Another young guy who Memphis could covet is Frank Ntilikina. He has struggled some in his career but he has shown the ability to be a great defender.
He is just 20 years old and could be a part of the Grizzlies long-term plans, maybe even being the starting point guard of the future.
One guy who I’m sure is off the table is Kevin Knox. He was last year’s first-round pick and he has continued to impress with his ability to score the ball.
Another guy who has been very impressive but could be available is Allonzo Trier. Knicks fans won’t like to hear this because as an undrafted guy in last years draft he is already making a big impact but as I’ve said before if you don’t want to give up a first-round you’re going to lose a young stud or two.
If the Knicks were to decide they’d rather focus on young prospects in a deal they would still need someone to make it work money wise. Enes Kanter is making $18.6 million this season and he has been mentioned in trade discussions already so I’m sure he would be available in these as well.
A few other guys such as Trey Burke, Luke Hornet, or Mario Hezonja could be thrown in to make this deal work as well. That’s not to say those guys don’t have value because they have all shown some promise in their careers.
Hezonja might be the most interesting guy out of those three because he has shown flashes of his potential. He was selected 5th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic but has struggled to get a good start to his career.
The Knicks have the prospects to make this deal happen. If they offered Ntilikina, Robinson, Hezonja, Kanter, and a 2020 second-round pick would work. Other Grizzlies players could go to New York as well if the Knicks wanted that.
The Knicks have other ways they could dump salary if Durant or another star is interested in coming. There would be teams interested in Hardaway and they could dump Lee’s salary if needed.
If they can bring in Conley to pair with the young core and Kristaps Porzingis then this team could be a playoff contender for next season even without landing a big name free agent this summer.
It seems unlikely the Knicks would consider this deal at the moment but it is something they should consider at the very least. This deal could also be revisited this summer if Conley remains in Memphis and the Knicks strike out in free agency.