NBA Rumors: Utah Jazz Considering Mike Conley For Ricky Rubio Trade

The Utah Jazz are looking to address some manpower problems, and it looks like it may all start at the guard position. Reports have now come out that they have inquired about Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies, a move that makes plenty of sense.

As mentioned in a previous post, Conley and Marc Gasol have been mentioned as players who may likely be dealt by the Grizzlies at the right price. Gasol has gotten his share of suitors and now the attention has shifted to Conley. With a 19-29 mark, dealing off both stars indicates that the Grizzlies are headed towards rebuilding mode.

As far as the Jazz are concerned, getting Conley could be the missing piece to bump them up to contender status in the NBA. Ricky Rubio is currently manning the point, but his lack of shooting is a concern. The Jazz need added firepower and the 20.0 points per game average of Conley could address all that, The Athletic reported. He also averages 3.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists this season, making him an ideal fit for Utah.

Aside from playmaking and scoring, Conley could also guide rising stars like Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. But if a trade is to be made, the Jazz need to do some pencil pushing.

Conley holds a hefty $30.5 million contract, something the Jazz will need to match. Including Rubio, who owns a $14.8 million deal, addresses only half of the problem. Some other players like maybe Grayson Allen or Derrick Favors could work plus a pick in future NBA drafts, the Bleacher Report reported.

Should Favors be included, it may be a hefty price to pay. The 27-year-old cager is having one of his finest NBA seasons, meaning dealing him off could create another vacuum.

Allen, on the other hand, is a rookie and someone who could develop into a fine player given time. But if the Jazz are to make a run and improve their NBA playoff chances, adding players who can deliver now is the way to go.

Looking at the NBA Western Conference standings, the Jazz are 7th overall. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, seem out of it, a reason why they are likely to clean house and trade Conley and Gasol for future assets.

The Jazz, Grizzlies and other NBA teams looking to make moves should crop up in the coming weeks. The NBA trade deadline is set for Feb. 7 and some players may find themselves changing zip codes soon.