It sure didn’t take long for the NBA to move past the feel-good story of the Cleveland Cavaliers defeating the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
This past Sunday saw the conclusion of an epic NBA Finals series. By Wednesday, teams were already making blockbuster trades involving point guards. That’s right, within a few short days the hoops world went from seeing LeBron James deliver Cleveland’s first championship since 1964, to seeing former MVP Derrick Rose traded to the New York Knicks.
And that wasn’t the only deal made.
After several successful seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, point guard Jeff Teague was sent packing to the Indiana Pacers. Teague was part of a three-team blockbuster move that also sent another point guard, George Hill, to the Utah Jazz.
However, Teague, Hill and Rose might not be the only big name point guards on the move.
Memphis Grizzlies long-time floor general Mike Conley is one of the top-tier free agents available in this year’s free agent pool. Conley has been very underrated during his career in Memphis, but when healthy is one of the better two-way point guards in the NBA. And while the former Ohio State Buckeye isn’t on the same level as Kevin Durant, he’ll surely command a ton of interest from teams around the league.
Which brings us to the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.
The Spurs and Mavs are two of the Association’s most successful franchises over the last 15 plus years. However, both teams are in dire need of an injection of youth at the one-spot. And it looks like Conley could be the answer for at least one of these Texas teams.
Via Tim MacMahon / ESPN:
For Memphis to keep Mike Conley, the Grizzlies would have to commit to a five-year contract for the top point guard available in the free agency market, sources told ESPN.com. The fifth year, which only the Grizzlies can offer Conley, would be worth more than $33 million on a max contract.
A source said the Spurs and Mavericks are among the other teams that would interest Conley, who intends to explore his options in free agency. The Spurs would have to answer questions about how Conley would fit with Tony Parker, according to the source, who said that Conley has great respect for Dallas coach Rick Carlisle.
With the aforementioned Knicks and Pacers making trades to upgrade their point guard positions, the Spurs and Mavericks have an even better chance at nabbing the free agent guard.
The Knicks and Pacers would have been attractive to Conley, an Indianapolis native, but those two teams addressed their needs at point guards with trades today.
July 1st kicks off the NBA free agency Moratorium period.
Main Photo: OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 07: Shot of Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies during a game against the Golden State Warriors on March 07, 2012 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
