Free agent point guard Mike Conley is likely to return to the Jazz, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic, though Jones cautions that the price tag “won’t be cheap.”
The report comes on the heels of a pair of similar stories from Tuesday. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst wrote that league executives believe Conley is most likely to remain in Utah, while Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report said there’s a “strong belief” around the league that the Jazz will be able to shed some salary and make Conley a substantial offer.
The Mavericks have been cited repeatedly as one team expected to show interest in Conley, but their focus is said to be more on Kyle Lowry, which perhaps reflects their belief that Lowry will be more attainable.
As we outlined in our preview of Utah’s offseason, the team is already on the hook for nearly $130MM in guaranteed salary for nine players. Even if Conley is willing to take a pay cut after earning $34.5MM last season, a reasonable deal for him (perhaps in the neighborhood of $20MM+ per year) would push the Jazz way into luxury tax territory.
Virtually all of Utah’s biggest contracts belong to productive rotation players, so if the club wants to trim salary, it may come at the cost of a regular contributor. The Jazz have reportedly explored trades involving Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles, and Derrick Favors.
Multiple reports have suggested the team could end up attaching this year’s No. 30 pick to Favors in a cost-cutting deal. Since Favors’ contract (two years, $20MM) isn’t especially unwieldy, it’s possible Utah could get a less expensive rotation player back in such a deal, though that’s just my speculation.
Here are a few more notes on the Jazz:
- Sources tell Jones that the Jazz remain high on second-year shooting guard Elijah Hughes and believe he could play his way into the team’s 2021/22 rotation. The team likes what he brings to the table offensively and will be looking for him to show defensive improvement in Summer League play, per Jones.
- Miles McBride, Ayo Dosunmu, and Nah’Shon Hyland are among the guards the Jazz like as possible targets if they keep the No. 30 pick, says Jones.
- If Utah trades the No. 30 pick and remains in the draft, moving up is unlikely, but a move down is a possibility, according to Jones, who says there are multiple players the team likes in the second round. One potential second-round target would be Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp, Jones adds.
Does Lowry really want to goto Dallas. IMO Philadelphia or Miami would be his top choices. Dragic could goto Dallas.
Mavs offer 3 year contract SNT. Other teams offer 1 or 2 year to Lowry
Knicks offer 1 year
Imagine spending 35m on a big man who can’t even score outside 3 ft lol! Jazz are done !
Are you talking about Rudy gobert? They’ve had him for several years. Didn’t the Jazz have the best record in the NBA last year or top 3 or something? How can they be done it’s not like they just got him? He’s a big part of what they do and they’ve been successful. I don’t understand what you’re saying.. that they’re done.
What don’t you understand ? They overpaid a center who can’t score and is unplayable in the playoffs. Who gives a crap what they do in the regular season.
That’s not on their Center who happens to be defensive player of the year candidate every single year. That’s on the offense which relies too much on one player. They need a couple more guys to get it done on the offense. Be nice to have another All-Star on the wing. Their defense is good their three-point shooting is good how about a shot creator for the playoffs?.
By the way how many centers in the league are “go to” scorers? I’m not a jazz fan but it seems like you want your big man to show up on the defensive end and anything he provides on offense would be lobs and putbacks Etc. Clint capela is a fine playoff starting center. There’s not too many Joel embiid’s or jokic out there.
Is Rudy gobert paid way too much ? Absolutely. WAY too much. Are the Jazz done because of it? No.
How are they going to get another player if they’re paying this dude 35-40ms??
I never said anything about centers being go to scorers??
Once again idc about regular season achievements. The fact that this dude won DOPY shows you how overrated that award is, he couldn’t even guard Terrance Mann lmao.
If you agree with me that he is overpaid why are arguing against me ? Lol.
I’m arguing that you said the “Jazz are done.” I disagree that they “are done” they finished in first place in the entire conference with Rudy gobert as their Center.
You keep mentioning the goddamn regular season lol I’m done arguing with you.
‘unplayable in the playoffs.’
You’re basing this off of like two games where the Clippers were unconscious shooting the ball and the Jazz staff made no adjustments.
Gobert’s playoffs: 11 games, 14.7 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 2.1 bpg, shot 74.1% from the field. How is this ‘unplayable’?
Omg those are jaw dropping #s definitely worth 40m!! You’re right!
The Jazz would have to change everything they do without Gobert backing up everyone on defense.
Dosunmu is good at getting the ball inside; Gobert should be advocating for drafting him to boost his ppg… to be worth his salary to some lol
Conley is not getting paid anywhere but Utah. I would not overpay to keep him. He’s missed 50 gms in two yrs. Played 29 mins a gm and put up Not Max Numbers. I’m all for players getting paid. He’s not worth more than 10 mill now.
Favors is another guy. He was a good talent then got hurt. Has never been the big time player. Yet he gets a a contract. Then that same team wants to move him the next yr. Cause of the contract they gave him. I thought Bigs were going out of style. He’s not worth more than McGee or Howard.
Jazz need another playmaker. They should take a chance on Ball.
How are they going to take a chance on Ball? They have no cap space either way if they sign Conley or not.
Great career and a good player, but he is not Championship player. He will be injury prone going forward. Pass on him and find better support for Mitchell.
Neither Conley nor K-Low now or in the past are worth anywhere near $20MM as simple as…
Again I can’t see why DAL would ever be interested in these 2 when they have a PG that is light years better than they were in their peak, not now in their decline… can’t really fathom that, surely must be fake news!
They both knock down shots and play D
I agree their value has gone down. Hope they don’t cripple their teams they sign with in an ego move. That’s not fair to these people who sign them.
Yes, they do hit shots and play D, but being on the court is the main reason they’re being paid. I would want reassurance that Conley’s hamstring is fixable. Can’t keep aggravating the same injury and expect it to get better. Otherwise, even though I love the guy, I would look into sign and trading him, if possible.
Joe Weiskamp would be a good choice to replace a traded wing like Ingles. Very serious terrific shooter with 4.1% body fat at the combine, which possibly will be the lowest among draftees. Should be low-maintenence.
I was a big fan of $30m for Conley but that is over now… $15m tops for the absences, which he should keep making use of. He should stay near his level for another three years.