Knicks · The Dream PG: Grizzlies concerned Mike Conley will leave in Free Agency (page 1)

This guy has always been my top target. I'd heard he was staying in Memphis, but it sounds like he might be considering leaving?

Ian Begley
ESPN Staff Writer

Here's a bit of potentially good news for those Knicks fans interested in free agent Mike Conley: some members of the Grizzlies front office are growing a bit concerned about the possibility of Conley leaving in free agency, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Memphis, which plans on using a video featuring Grizzlies part-owner Justin Timberlake as part of its recruiting pitch, per a source, can offer Conley a five-year deal worth approximately $124 million. Other clubs can ink Conley to a max contract for four years worth approximately $92 million. Both Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek and GM Steve Mills has mentioned point guard as a position of emphasis for New York this offseason.

1 week ago – via Basketball Insiders
The narrative all season around Conley was that he was staying in Memphis. However, sources close to Conley’s camp said recently that Conley is more open to new situations than anyone in Memphis would be comfortable with. The narrative from those sources is that Conley is concerned that the Grizzlies cannot add enough to the roster to get them seriously into championship status and if that does not happen, he’s not willing to tie his career to Memphis in the long-term.

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He would be a perfect fit at PG with KP and Melo. We would instantly be a near-50 win team with a few other moves.

PG Conley / Grant / Calderon
SG C.Lee / Galloway / Wroten
SF Melo / Lance
PF KP / DWill
C Rolo / Hernangomez

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

The only concern I've had with Conley was his injury situation and his being a somewhat slightly built guy. I think he has to push himself in order to be as successful as he's been and I'm not so sure he can keep up this level of effort. Committing big dollars to him comes with risk.

Outside of that risk there's nothing not to like about him. He would have a very positive impact on this team. In the kind of mixed style JH is likely to employ Conley is perfectly equipped to run this team. He can play uptempo and in the half court.

crzymdups wrote:This guy has always been my top target. I'd heard he was staying in Memphis, but it sounds like he might be considering leaving?

Ian Begley
ESPN Staff Writer

Here's a bit of potentially good news for those Knicks fans interested in free agent Mike Conley: some members of the Grizzlies front office are growing a bit concerned about the possibility of Conley leaving in free agency, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Memphis, which plans on using a video featuring Grizzlies part-owner Justin Timberlake as part of its recruiting pitch, per a source, can offer Conley a five-year deal worth approximately $124 million. Other clubs can ink Conley to a max contract for four years worth approximately $92 million. Both Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek and GM Steve Mills has mentioned point guard as a position of emphasis for New York this offseason.

1 week ago – via Basketball Insiders
The narrative all season around Conley was that he was staying in Memphis. However, sources close to Conley’s camp said recently that Conley is more open to new situations than anyone in Memphis would be comfortable with. The narrative from those sources is that Conley is concerned that the Grizzlies cannot add enough to the roster to get them seriously into championship status and if that does not happen, he’s not willing to tie his career to Memphis in the long-term.

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://twitter.com/SBondyNYDN/status/741445154192646144

Click here to view the Tweet

He would be a perfect fit at PG with KP and Melo. We would instantly be a near-50 win team with a few other moves.

PG Conley / Grant / Calderon
SG C.Lee / Galloway / Wroten
SF Melo / Lance
PF KP / DWill
C Rolo / Hernangomez

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

I'd dump Calderon on the 76ers and O'Quinn on the Clippers for cap flexibility but your roster would be the general idea. We should sign Gerald Green for additional insurance at the 2-spot behind Courtney Lee but that's a roster I think could be a problem in the East with the matchup nightmares it can present.

nixluva wrote:The only concern I've had with Conley was his injury situation and his being a somewhat slightly built guy. I think he has to push himself in order to be as successful as he's been and I'm not so sure he can keep up this level of effort. Committing big dollars to him comes with risk.

Outside of that risk there's nothing not to like about him. He would have a very positive impact on this team. In the kind of mixed style JH is likely to employ Conley is perfectly equipped to run this team. He can play uptempo and in the half court.

Conley would not have to be a long-term solution because Jerian Grant is that. In the interim, Grant becomes his understudy who can learn the ropes of the position from one of its best.

My issue is overpaying for a declining player. I don't want to do that. Plus I don't think Conley is that good to blow our cap on. The Derrick Rose idea is better because of the commitment.

The Hornacek comment says it all though. The Knicks are looking to add an established player at point guard.

EnySpree wrote:My issue is overpaying for a declining player. I don't want to do that. Plus I don't think Conley is that good to blow our cap on. The Derrick Rose idea is better because of the commitment.

The Hornacek comment says it all though. The Knicks are looking to add an established player at point guard.

I understand the injury worries, but statistically, his numbers have been very consistent the past three seasons.

He's 28 - same age as Westbrook and Curry. He's played very very well against both those guys in the playoffs.

I don't think we should be too worried about a contract that would make him a Knick from age 28 to 32.

This is where I am so so so so so glad we have Jeff Hornacek. A brainy guard who has played at this highest level in the sport. Could be an attraction for Conley. We shall see.

I'm down with going for it with Conley. Is there a risk with Conley? Of course there is but there's risk with a lot of players. I can't remember all of Conley's injuries but if i'm correct he's never had any serious injuries with his knees which is always the ones to really watch out for and i think the only one that he really missed significant time with was when he broke his cheek bone or something on his face so if he just had minor injuries that would make him miss a couple of games here and there that's something we could get by with.

does anyone here want to pay him 25-30 million a year?

mreinman wrote:does anyone here want to pay him 25-30 million a year?

The max the Knicks can pay him is $92M for 4yrs which is right in the article above.

I would pay him that without hesitation. We'll have another $20M+ in cap room next summer, too.

crzymdups wrote:

You see a max player here? He's not a 25 million dollar player in no shape or form. He's a good player but for half of that price. Nothing that's he's doing here is all that special.

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

You see a max player here? He's not a 25 million dollar player in no shape or form. He's a good player but for half of that price. Nothing that's he's doing here is all that special.

I'm not sure what math you're getting $25M a year from. It's 4yr $92M max. First year of that deal would be ~$21M and about 20% of the cap. Five years ago when the cap was $55M that's the same as an $11M deal. New math for a new cap.

I'm about building a TEAM of COMPLIMENTARY parts. Conley would be a perfect complement to Melo and KP and even Rolo.

I'm all about building the team. We have Rolo, Melo under contract for 3yrs. Getting Conley for 4yrs would sync up nicely.

You need to watch a full Conley game to see the impact he has on offense, defense, etc. He would be a MASSIVE upgrade.

EnySpree wrote:My issue is overpaying for a declining player. I don't want to do that. Plus I don't think Conley is that good to blow our cap on. The Derrick Rose idea is better because of the commitment.

The Hornacek comment says it all though. The Knicks are looking to add an established player at point guard.

Exactly my two concerns with Conley Jr. as well. Can't believe JH and the Knicks might be thinking different on him. Conley's no max player and he's no savior. He's a guy I look at and say, man, I guarantee you I could get that same level of production somewhere else for a whole lot cheaper..

Thinking about Rose--I only like him if we don't have to give up anything significant. Def. no future 1st round pick. If it's like what Crush was saying where they pay us a pick for taking on his salary, I'm ok with it. Otherwise, I don't trust him enough physically to give up anything meaningful to get him. Dude's obviously not the same player anymore.

crzymdups wrote:

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

You see a max player here? He's not a 25 million dollar player in no shape or form. He's a good player but for half of that price. Nothing that's he's doing here is all that special.

I'm not sure what math you're getting $25M a year from. It's 4yr $92M max. First year of that deal would be ~$21M and about 20% of the cap. Five years ago when the cap was $55M that's the same as an $11M deal. New math for a new cap.

I'm about building a TEAM of COMPLIMENTARY parts. Conley would be a perfect complement to Melo and KP and even Rolo.

I'm all about building the team. We have Rolo, Melo under contract for 3yrs. Getting Conley for 4yrs would sync up nicely.

You need to watch a full Conley game to see the impact he has on offense, defense, etc. He would be a MASSIVE upgrade.

I'm about team building too.... a complimentary you just don't spend 21 million on a compliment.

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

You see a max player here? He's not a 25 million dollar player in no shape or form. He's a good player but for half of that price. Nothing that's he's doing here is all that special.

I'm not sure what math you're getting $25M a year from. It's 4yr $92M max. First year of that deal would be ~$21M and about 20% of the cap. Five years ago when the cap was $55M that's the same as an $11M deal. New math for a new cap.

I'm about building a TEAM of COMPLIMENTARY parts. Conley would be a perfect complement to Melo and KP and even Rolo.

I'm all about building the team. We have Rolo, Melo under contract for 3yrs. Getting Conley for 4yrs would sync up nicely.

You need to watch a full Conley game to see the impact he has on offense, defense, etc. He would be a MASSIVE upgrade.

I'm about team building too.... a complimentary you just don't spend 21 million on a compliment.

you missed what i'm saying but that's ok. the finals are on.

mreinman wrote:does anyone here want to pay him 25-30 million a year?

What's the opportunity cost?

NardDogNation wrote:

mreinman wrote:does anyone here want to pay him 25-30 million a year?

What's the opportunity cost?

Yeah, why spend $21M on the perfect point guard, when we could break it up over three crappy players for $7M each?

(I'm agreeing with you, Nard)

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

You see a max player here? He's not a 25 million dollar player in no shape or form. He's a good player but for half of that price. Nothing that's he's doing here is all that special.

I'm not sure what math you're getting $25M a year from. It's 4yr $92M max. First year of that deal would be ~$21M and about 20% of the cap. Five years ago when the cap was $55M that's the same as an $11M deal. New math for a new cap.

I'm about building a TEAM of COMPLIMENTARY parts. Conley would be a perfect complement to Melo and KP and even Rolo.

I'm all about building the team. We have Rolo, Melo under contract for 3yrs. Getting Conley for 4yrs would sync up nicely.

You need to watch a full Conley game to see the impact he has on offense, defense, etc. He would be a MASSIVE upgrade.

I'm about team building too.... a complimentary you just don't spend 21 million on a compliment.

What's the opportunity cost involved?

crzymdups wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

mreinman wrote:does anyone here want to pay him 25-30 million a year?

What's the opportunity cost?

Yeah, why spend $21M on the perfect point guard, when we could break it up over three crappy players for $7M each?

(I'm agreeing with you, Nard)

I got your sarcasm man, lol. Signing Conley just makes too much sense. People are acting as though there is something better down the road and as if they are paying player salaries.