There is growing concern in the Grizzlies‘ front office that point guard Mike Conley might leave the team in free agency this summer, posts Ian Begley on ESPN Now. The 28-year-old will be the top point guard on the market after spending nine years in Memphis. Begley says Grizzlies part-owner Justin Timberlake will appear in a video presentation trying to convince Conley to remain with the team. Begley presents the item as possible good news for the Knicks, but it’s equally positive for all the teams planning to pursue Conley, and very negative for Memphis, which is hoping to keep the core of its perennial playoff team together. The Grizzlies still have the advantage of being able to offer Conley a five-year contract worth about $124MM, while other teams are limited to four years in the neighborhood of $92MM.
There’s more news from the Western Conference:
- The Suns will negotiate with 2014 first-round pick Bogdan Bogdanovic now that his Turkish League season is over, according to Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. This is the last season that Bogdanovic would be required to sign a rookie contract that would give him a salary of about $5.7MM over four years. If he waits until next offseason, Bogdanovic is free to negotiate any amount, starting with his draft year’s rookie salary scale.
- A request for $22.7MM in public funding for renovations to Utah’s Vivant Arena was approved today by the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City, writes Jasen Lee of The Deseret News. The money, which will be awarded though tax increment financing over the next 25 years, makes up 18% of the total cost of the proposed $125MM project. It will include safety and security improvements, heating and air conditioning upgrades, a new solar panel system and plaza, concession, seating and premium suite improvements.
- The Mavericks are planning a free agent camp June 22nd with Arnett Moultrie, Bobby Brown, Dominic McGuire and Nick Minnerath among the players invited, tweets Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who played two games for the Knicks this season, also received an invitation but has not confirmed that he will attend the camp (Twitter link).
- The Spurs will hold a free agent camp Wednesday, Kennedy tweets, with Chris Copeland, Adonis Thomas, Victor Rudd, Scott Suggs, J.J. O’Brien and Darius Adams among those expected to attend.
- The Timberwolves have had workouts for several veteran free agents, including Jimmer Fredette, Phil Pressey, Marquis Teague, Ryan Boatright, Mike James, Ra’shad James, Mark Lyons and Aaron Craft, tweets international journalist David Pick.
Sad to say it but if Conley wants to win he should move on. Not to the Knicks but if San Antonio makes a max offer or someone else that’s already currently good he should jump on it. Grizz could maybe eke out another few years of being a playoff caliber team, but that’s not the same thing as being a true championship contender.
Agreed. San Antonio, Pacers, Pelicans (maybe) would be teams that could put him in a better playoff position than staying in Memphis could. San Antonio would obviously give him the best chance, but fitting him onto the roster might be tricky. Pacers and Pelicans might have an easier time fitting him in, but are not as close as San Antonio would be.
If I was Conley, I would narrow it down to 3 teams. Spurs with Leonard and Aldridge. Pacers with PG. And Wolves if they trade for Butler.
I don’t think he will go to the Knicks but I would like to see it happen and I’d like to see them either land Durant or even Lebron since he wants to play with Carmelo. No I am not a Knicks fan but I would like to see that team be successful again. I know they have a Center but they should trade him and sign Gasol and have him mentor Porzingas
You really think LBJ would play with the Knicks. No way he’s leaving Kyrie for a washed up Melo.
If they win the finals… You never know… Imagine… He won in Miami, picks up the cavs… Wins it for them… Then comes to the Knicks and brings a championship to New York. That’s one hell of a resume.. Would definitely go down as one of the best players in the game. Anyone who helps win a chip for New York is instantly a KING lol. that would be sick
Best place for Conley to sign would be The Knicks, he would be wanted there And he Is The perfect piece to round out that Knicks core, bring back Affalo And thats It.
He’s gonna opt out my dude… If he don’t opt out that’s
Less money we have to spend…. Conley wants a MAX deal