NBA Rumors: Jazz, Pistons Engage In Tug-Of-War For Mike Conley

Mike Conley is one player likely to be on the move by the NBA trade deadline, and at least two teams are now reportedly interested in his services. The Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz are interested in dealing for the 31-year-old guard as both teams look to shore up their backcourt with Conley's experience and court savvy.

As mentioned in a previous post, the Grizzlies are likely to revamp their current roster. With the 2018-19 NBA season as good as lost, Marc Gasol and Conley are likely to be dangled for trade to other teams. As of writing, the Grizzlies tote a 21-33 win-loss card in the NBA Western Conference and are on course to missing the postseason wars.

Both Gasol and Conley have been hampered by injuries, a reason why their basketball careers have been on and off. Now in their 30s, it seems the investment has slowly worn out on the two NBA stars.

As for Conley, he could still be of use to other teams. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons have already engaged in talks with the Grizzlies about Conley, who is in the third year of the $152.6 million deal he signed in 2016. Although it was not mentioned, the player likely to be offered is Reggie Jackson and a first-round pick.

Should everything fall into place, Conley could find himself forming a new mutt-and-jeff tandem with Blake Griffin. The Pistons front office would reportedly like to maximize the window of the 29-year-old forward for at least the next two seasons.

If the Pistons fold, this would pave the way for the Utah Jazz. The player being offered is reportedly Ricky Rubio together with a 2019 first-round pick, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. While the Spaniard is seen as a better player, it may all boil down to which team will end up with a higher selection in the NBA draft. In this case, the Pistons seem to be it.

Whoever ends up with nothing on the Conley trade will likely end up scouring the market for another guard. One name that comes to mind is Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans. The 28-year-old player is also believed to be on the trading block, so either the Pistons or Jazz can consider him as well.