Phoenix Suns: Pros and cons of trading for Mike Conley
Pro: Conley is good, and a good fit…
Most people know him for being one of those great NBA players who’s somehow never made an All-Star Game, but make no mistake about it: Mike Conley is still a very good basketball player, and unless he pulled a complete Trevor Ariza, he’d be a very good fit alongside Devin Booker.
Because of Booker’s scoring and blossoming playmaking skills, as well as his noted shortcomings on the defensive end, the ideal fit alongside the Suns’ star is a defensive-minded guard who can facilitate, but can also play off the ball and knock down 3s when Book decides to run the offense.
Conley fits that description to a T, though his defense isn’t as fearsome as it once was.
Really only thought I have on Conley right now is that his archetype ticks the boxes of what you want next to Booker. Just a little older than you’d hope.
— David (@theIVpointplay) January 23, 2019
Discussed this and a bit more on Conley on latest @7SOLpod episode, if anyone cares enough to hear.
This year, despite how rough things have gotten for Memphis, Conley remains the most consistent performer, averaging 19.8 points, 6.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
He’s only shooting 42.3 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent from 3, but he’s a career 37.5 percent shooter from long range. Booker would be the best backcourt threat he’s ever played with, which would give him better looks than he’s currently seeing in Memphis.
A trade for Conley would make life easier on both of them, as the new arrival would help make up for Booker’s flaws on defense. He may not be a long-term solution for the rebuilding Suns, but he’d be more than a rental at the 1. Between his experience, playmaking, shooting ability and defense, Conley would be a terrific two-way fit for a roster that needs more established talent.