Mike Conley’s return to the Memphis Grizzlies still doesn’t appear to be a sure thing.
From ESPN.com’s Ian Begley:
Here’s a bit of potentially good news for those Knicks fans interested in free agent Mike Conley: some members of the Grizzlies front office are growing a bit concerned about the possibility of Conley leaving in free agency, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Memphis, which plans on using a video featuring Grizzlies part-owner Justin Timberlake as part of its recruiting pitch, per a source, can offer Conley a five-year deal worth approximately $124 million. Other clubs can ink Conley to a max contract for four years worth approximately $92 million.
If Conley leaves Memphis for another team, it won’t be a money issue. Though there has been some debate over whether he is worth a max contract, the Grizzlies will almost assuredly throw him one as soon as the clock strikes midnight on July 1.
Conley is too important to their offense for them to play hardball. Over the last half decade, according to NBA.com, the Grizzlies have scored like a top-10 attack with him on the floor, compared to a bottom-five crud fest when he sits. If he leaves, they are screwed. There is no other point guard on the market who figures to replace all that he does.
And since the Grizzlies can offer Conley more money than any other team, his decision to leave would be entirely about a change scenery. That’s simultaneously encouraging and unsettling if you’re the Grizzlies. On the one hand, you’d hate to think that he has such little faith in his incumbent organization. On the other hand, it makes him less likely to leave overall, despite all these concerns.
