Mike Conley is a player that any NBA team would want some years back. But since being shipped by the Memphis Grizzlies, things have just not been the same for the 32-year-old guard. He is in the final year of his contract but the Utah Jazz may consider dealing him away this offseason.
It would be logical if the Jazz resort to that. Given his performance, Conley has hardly proven to be worth the remaining $34.5 million he is due next season. Rather than spend it all, Utah could be better off trading him away for someone they need. And Kevin Love could be that guy.
Love is a player the Cavaliers were expected to shop around. Cleveland’s rebuild is for real although the trajectory somehow changed when J.B. Bickerstaff came on board. Now, it appears Love is pretty much comfortable with the club with the change of head coach. The same holds for all players in the mix like Andre Drummond and Tristan Thompson – ironically someone who is due for a new deal.
A Conley for Love swap could work seeing how their salaries are fairly similar in terms of money involved. But for the Cavs, it makes no sense to take in a guard like Conley given that Collin Sexton and Darius Garland are seen as their backcourt of the future.
Also, the Cavaliers would take in a veteran guard but not at the rate Conley is getting. There is a lot to consider in the market this offseason so swapping Love for Conley may not make much sense. Utah could try to add some future picks but somehow, the Cavaliers may not bite.
For the Jazz, adding someone of Love’s caliber would be a big boost. Having someone who can rebound and shoot from outside would improve the offensive prowess of the Jazz. He could be the perfect complement to Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. But right now, this may be nothing more than a fantasy given the Cavs may want something more for Love.
Utah made a good run this season and the only plausible way to follow it up is to improve the roster. Conley’s future is questionable though no team may be willing to take in the injury-prone guard. Though he has time to recall his old form, the price to pay right now is unreasonable. A buyout could be possible but this may be the last resort if there are no takers for the veteran guard.
