Memphis Grizzlies: 5 Potential Landing Spots For Mike Conley
By Chris Kern
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have two max contracts to fill this summer and they haven’t shied away from that. They are trying to bring in a duo of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, but if that doesn’t work out then Conley could be a good fall back option.
The chance to play in that city and that arena will be intriguing to any basketball player so they certainly have a chance at them, but they did finish with a 17-65 record. They have a few nice young players in Mitchell Robinson and Dennis Smith Jr., but that isn’t a roster that will excite a star to go play there.
It may be two stars or none for the Knicks. It’s possible they land just one, but it seems unlikely that any star caliber player would want to play for that team without another star joining him. If they strike out on the top free agents they could go after Jimmy Butler to fill one of those max slots.
If that were the case that’s when a trade for Mike Conley could make sense. This is a Knicks franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2012-13 season and hasn’t even made the conference finals this century.
David Fizdale is their head coach as well and he coached the Grizzlies just recently. That didn’t end well as he had a lot of drama with Marc Gasol, but he is a good coach who enjoyed his time in Memphis.
A deal for Conley could possibly include Dennis Smith Jr. who could be an exciting pickup for Memphis. He is a really good young point guard with star potential who at worst should be a solid starter for the next decade.
A pick or other young players would likely be included as well with Kevin Knox and Allonzo Trier both being possibilities. This might not be an extremely likely landing spot, but if the Knicks strike out in free agency, don’t be surprised to see them make a push for Mike Conley.