Utah Jazz: 2019 NBA Draft grades
By Mason McFee
Trading for Mike Conley
The Jazz sent this pick at No. 23 over to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Mike Conley trade, so they essentially “picked” him with this selection.
The Grizzlies selected Gonzaga forward Brandon Clarke at the No. 21 spot after completing a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder that sent away the 23rd overall pick. Clarke is expected to be an instant impact player and should fit nicely into Memphis’ growing young core, specifically next to last year’s lottery selection, Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Jazz likely wouldn’t have made the same selection unless they were planning on letting Derrick Favors go in free agency, something we will touch on in a bit.
Conley owns career averages of 14.9 points, 5.7 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game with .441/.375/.819 shooting splits and is coming off a season where he averaged a career-high 21.1 points, 6.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game on .438/.364/.845 shooting splits. Conley also has attempted over six 3s a game the past three seasons.
Zach Lowe of ESPN went as far to say that the trade makes Utah NBA Finals contenders. He also included the salary cap implications via ESPN’s resident cap expert Bobby Marks:
"“No matter how the Jazz timed this trade, adding Conley’s $32.5 million salary takes them out of the market for max-level free agents, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Utah can open $16.9 million in space by waiving Derrick Favors, whose deal for next season is nonguaranteed, but even that does not create maximum space with Conley’s mega-salary coming in.”"
The Jazz solidified their point guard situation for the foreseeable future, but still have some financial flexibility to fill out the rest of their roster. The Jazz have their backcourt for the near future.
Grade: A