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NBA Free Agency: Top 10 2016 Free Agents

By Ryan Blackburn

Apr 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) waits to be introduced prior to action against the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) waits to be introduced prior to action against the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) handles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) handles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Mike Conley

Mike Conley has been a high quality player for a number of years with Memphis. He’s been designated “underrated” for a long time, but it truly is time to put pen to go to paper and when it does, Conley will have signed a max deal.

The point guard of the Grizzlies has been a main stay on top-10 lists at his position for years and while he has yet to collect an All-Star bid, he’s been on the verge nearly every single time. His career numbers of 13.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.9 rebounds compare favorably to Goran Dragic and he actually fares slightly better in all three averages.

The Slovenian signed a five-year, $86 million deal with Miami last offseason and with the rise in salary cap, it’s not impossible that Conley’s five-year deal could go as high as $100 million. Teams will pay the price for the versatile left hander.

He has proven time and time again that he can run an offense and while he needs scorers around him to be successful, he still plays his role at a near elite level.

In Memphis, Conley has found a home distributing to Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and whoever else the wind blows by. It makes sense for the Grizz to lock in their core for the foreseeable future. With the 17th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, the Grizzlies don’t have a high enough pick to seek a viable replacement anyway.

If Conley were to depart, the Brooklyn Nets have a massive need for a competent point guard and have an offensive tandem at the power forward and center positions that would help his transition. Brook Lopez is an elite post scorer and Thaddeus Young can be a good third wheel.

As long as the Nets can recruit shooters around them, Conley could get excited about being featured in one of the biggest markets the United States can offer.

Next: Number 4