Memphis Grizzlies Growing Concerned Mike Conley Will Leave In Free Agency

By Brad Berreman

After missing the end of this season with an Achilles injury, Mike Conley is reportedly 100 percent healthy ahead of becoming a free agent and he also has an eye on playing for Team USA in Rio later this summer. Conley will be the top free agent point guard when the market opens in a couple weeks, and a solid resume with relative youth (28) puts him in line for a max deal. According to Ian Begley of ESPN.com, some people in the Grizzlies’ organization are “growing a bit concerned” that Conley will leave in free agency.

It’s worth noting that Begley covers the New York Knicks, who will likely be in the market for a point guard like Conley this offseason, for ESPN New York. Not that Begley’s sources aren’t reliable, since I’m sure they are, and there’s no doubt a vein of truth to Conley being willing to leave Memphis as he hits free agency for the first time. But Knicks fans will surely be glad to see any evidence that a top possible free agent target is highly available, and they are Begley’s target audience for the attention that drives our business these days.

The NBA‘s free agency system puts teams in position to retain their own, at least in terms of years and dollars that can be offered, and Conley obviously fits that. The Grizzlies can offer a five-year deal worth $124 million, while another team can only go to four years and $92 million. It’s safe to say endorsement opportunities would be greater in a bigger market, but Conley is not a marquee star. And as The Big Lead cites, the cost of living is also far greater in New York than it is in Memphis.

The Grizzlies are not a legitimate championship contender looking toward next season, but no team that seems likely to offer Conley a max contract is either. Starting with the Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings and a few other bottom-feeders may all have interest in Conley. One possible exception is the San Antonio Spurs, who ESPN’s Marc Stein reported as a possible suitor back in May, and joining a perennial title contender should appeal to Conley.

Memphis is right to be concerned about possibly losing Conley, since he will be in demand and bigger markets will come calling. A rising salary cap is also a factor, this summer and going forward, which could make a shorter deal Conley’s best option. The Grizzlies should remain in the mix to sign Conley, provided he wants to return. All they can do is work from their position of being able to offer the longest contract for the most total money while letting the chips fall where they may beyond that.

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