Phoenix Suns: Pros and cons of trading for Mike Conley
The verdict
Mike Conley is still a very good player. He’d be a great fit with Devin Booker on paper, and even if he’s banged up and begins to decline the next few seasons, it still might be worth it to finally snag a point guard that could elevate this miserable team back to the path of contention.
However, his age and injury history are worrisome for a Suns squad already struggling to keep Booker and Warren on the floor. There’s virtually no way he’s not overpaid over the final two years of his contract, and he’s not a long-term fix. The potential for another veteran being burnt out by the whole situation — a la Trevor Ariza — makes this even riskier.
With that being said, Conley has been a true professional throughout his career. The Grizzlies might owe it to him to trade him somewhere more competitive, but assets talk louder in this industry. The Suns have the pieces to pull off a deal, and depending on the asking price, should at least do their due diligence here.
Even if he only plays 60-70 games a season over the next two years, that might be enough to show Phoenix’s youngsters how to win in this league. He’s not some franchise star who will change things over night, but he’s an above-average starter who will defend, hit shots, make Booker’s life easier (finally) and instill good habits in the younger players like De’Anthony Melton.
He wouldn’t be a one-year rental, since exercising his early termination option for 2020-21 would equate to turning down $34.5 million, but the Suns wouldn’t be tied to him for the long haul either. They’d have a 2-3 year window to start competing, and hopefully by the end of his contract, Booker, Ayton, Bridges, Oubre and Melton would be ready to take over.
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Conley’s contract doesn’t interfere with the future extensions of the Suns’ 2018 rookies, he could help get this franchise back to winning and he’s certainly not washed just yet. There are definitely risks, but after years of talking themselves out of trades for a point guard, it might be time to finally strike. As long as the Suns’ 2019 or 2020 pick comes with a top-3 protection or something close to it, this is a move worth serious consideration.