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Could the Utah Jazz go after Mike Conley this offseason?

By Mitchell Hansen

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 23: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum on March 23, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. Minnesota won 112-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 23: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum on March 23, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. Minnesota won 112-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz are reportedly interested in trading for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley this offseason after exploring trades during the season.

The Utah Jazz may be done playing for the season, but the rumors surrounding the team haven’t stopped just yet regarding their summer plans. As the Jazz officially begin their offseason assessment with the 2019 NBA Playoffs starting to finish up, a recent rumor including Utah has fans already looking forward to the 2019-2020 campaign.

According to multiple reports in the last week or two, including a recent report by The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Jazz are expected to make a run at trying to acquire Memphis Grizzlies’ point guard Mike Conley during the offseason.

This trade rumor is one that is familiar to many Jazz fans. It was reported prior to the 2019 NBA trade deadline during the regular season that Utah and Memphis were engaged in trade talks surrounding Conley that would send the point guard to Salt Lake City.

It was reported around the trade deadline that the Jazz were interested in swapping Conley with point guard Ricky Rubio, who spent the 2018-19 campaign in the final year of his contract with Utah. Ultimately, that trade never happened and the Jazz continued to roll with Rubio for the remainder of the season.

It’s clear that Utah has been and continues to be interested in Conley, and that could eventually result in the Jazz pulling the trigger to making a move to bring in the point guard to join cornerstone players Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

Along with Utah’s interest, Memphis may be looking now more than ever to find a trade partner to ship out Conley this offseason.

The Grizzlies, who jumped up in the NBA Draft Lottery last week and now hold the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft in June, are reportedly locked in on picking Murray State point guard Ja Morant. That would make it easier for Memphis to part ways with Conley moving forward.

https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/1129836366706163712

From Utah’s standpoint, this trade would make a lot of sense on many different levels. First of all, the Jazz will have some cap room to be able to take on Conley’s large contract and potentially another asset from Memphis as a result. Conley is set to make $32.5 million in 2019-20 with a player option worth $34.5 million in 2020-21.

Utah is also in the market for a starting point guard with the contract of Rubio expiring following the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. It could always re-sign Rubio if it desired, but it appears the franchise is ready to move into a different direction with its floor general.

The addition of Conley to pair next to Mitchell at the guard positions and to have that duo compete with the post presence of Gobert is also an intriguing thought for Jazz fans. It could provide Utah with that third piece to help push it over the hump in the Western Conference.

Conley enjoyed a productive year in 2018-19, averaging a career-high 21.1 points along with 6.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in 70 appearances for Memphis.

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With the Grizzlies apparently ready to move on from their franchise point guard, Conley could provide a much-needed boost to the Jazz at the point guard position and could ultimately be the answer as the new floor general in Utah for the next few seasons if it makes a move for the guard this offseason.

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