NBA Trade Grades: Jazz deal for Mike Conley

Memphis Grizzlies

Even with Utah’s 2019 pick falling in at No. 23 and lengthy protections on the second selection, getting two first-rounders for a 31-year-old Mike Conley has to be considered a victory for the Grizzlies, who will earn proper compensation for arguably the greatest player in franchise history.

Now they can go about adding more shooting to a young roster whose rebuild is suddenly looking quite promising.

Assuming the Jazz are a playoff team the next two seasons, which they’ll almost certainly be even if Conley’s injury history becomes a factor, that protected 2020 pick will most likely convey in 2022. That draft class is expected to be particularly deep, especially since it will be the “double draft” where high school prospects will be allowed to enter with the abolition of the “one-and-done” rule.

The clock was ticking on Conley’s departure as soon as the Grizzlies moved up to No. 2 in the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery. Ja Morant will be the pick there, bringing in a new franchise point guard to join Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, Jevon Carter and now Grayson Allen and the No. 23 pick in this year’s draft as the new core.

As for the actual players Memphis acquired, Grayson Allen is a decent young prospect despite his underwhelming rookie numbers. The 23-year-old guard averaged 5.6 points in 10.9 minutes per game over his 38 appearance with Utah in his first NBA season, shooting 37.6 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from 3. He simply didn’t get much burn on a playoff contender.

However, he also showed flashes, like his 40-point outburst against the Los Angeles Clippers in April. He’s still young, possesses athleticism and should be able to post better shooting numbers than he showed in year one.

Jae Crowder is a useful wing who can play some small-ball 4, assuming the Grizzlies keep him through the final year of his contract. He’s a seasoned vet who can either start or come off the bench, and though he hasn’t shot the 3-ball well the last few years, he’s another capable body and locker room mentor for a young group.

Finally, there’s the 38-year-old Kyle Korver, whose career 42.9 percent shooting from 3-point range would be useful to this team. However, he could easily find himself on the chopping block if Memphis wants to free up a bit of cap space:

Given Memphis’ status as a rebuilding team, the front office may do Korver a favor and cut him loose to allow him to sign with a more serious contender. In any case, this deal was made for the draft compensation more than anything.

Perhaps Allen pans out, but even if he doesn’t, the Grizz snagged two first-rounders for an aging point guard they needed to trade sooner rather than later.

Grade: B