Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies reportedly will not move point guard Mike Conley ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. ESPN's Tim McMahon noted the Grizzlies see Conley as an important mentor for young guard Jaren Jackson, which was part of why they opted to keep him. 

Per that report, "Memphis discussed deals with multiple teams, but ultimately decided to hold onto their franchise point guard." 

There were plenty of rumors surrounding Conley, with Marc Stein of the New York Times reporting Wednesday that the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz were suitors, though Memphis wanted two first-round picks in any deal.

The Toronto Raptors had also popped up in Conley rumors before they swung a trade for his teammate Marc Gasol on Thursday, according to Woj. Memphis also traded Garrett Temple and JaMychal Green to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday for Avery Bradley. 

While the Grizzlies appear to be entering a rebuild, Conley's experience and mentorship was a factor in the team retaining him, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com:

Memphis has good reason to strip away some key pieces this season and begin rebuilding its roster. The team owes a first-round pick to the Boston Celtics, and it's top-eight protected this summer, top-six-protected in the 2020 draft and unprotected in 2021. Holding onto that pick this offseason, and maybe even next, makes sense for the Grizzlies as they seek to pair young talent with Jaren Jackson Jr.

And with Conley under contract through next season (with a $34.5 million player option for the 2020-21 season that he'll almost assuredly exercise), the Grizzlies could always explore deals for him in the offseason, hoping teams that miss out on the top free agents come calling with sweeter offers than they received this week.

So while Conley remains a Grizzly this season, it's still very possible the team could trade him for much-needed assets in the future.

The Los Angeles Clippers are trading Avery Bradley to the Memphis Grizzlies for Garrett Temple and JaMychal Green, according to ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Bradley is averaging 8.2 points and shooting 33.7 percent from three-point range this season. The move comes a day after Los Angeles acquired Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, Landry Shamet, two first-round picks and a second-rounder from the Philadelphia 76ers for Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott.

The Clippers appear to be gearing up for a run at a marquee free agent this summer.

Chandler and Muscala are both free agents in the offseason, while Shamet's rookie deal keeps him under contract through at least the 2021-22 season. Like Chandler and Muscala, both Green and Temple are on expiring deals.

Los Angeles ultimately saves a little bit of money by sending Bradley to Memphis. Of the $12.9 million he's owed next year, only $2 million is guaranteed if he's waived by July 3.

The Daily Memphian's Chris Herrington explained why the trade made sense from the Grizzlies' perspective:

Since the team is on pace to miss the playoffs for a second straight season, Memphis is clearly taking a long view instead of trying to contend now. According to Wojnarowski, the Grizzlies agreed to trade Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors for Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and a 2024 second-round pick.

The Grizzlies had little reason to continue operating above the luxury tax, and as Herrington noted, the opportunity to deal Bradley at a later date is there. Swapping him for any sort of draft pick compensation would be a worthwhile pursuit for a rebuilding franchise.

The 22-33 Memphis Grizzlies aren't going to make the playoffs and are exploring the possibility of accelerating their rebuild by moving one or two of their franchise pillars. 

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, it is "more likely" the Western Conference team trades big man Marc Gasol than point guard Mike Conley Jr. prior to Thursday's deadline.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium noted Gasol didn't travel with the team for Thursday's game at the Oklahoma City Thunder given the trade talks surrounding him between the Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets.

Gasol also missed Tuesday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This comes after Charania reported on Tuesday there were "strong talks" between the Hornets and Grizzlies regarding Gasol. However, Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported there was "increasing skepticism on both sides" that they could finalize a deal.

While Gasol is 34 years old, he is still averaging 15.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per game this season and is someone who can score on the blocks, stretch his offensive attack to the outside and facilitate from the high elbow.

He and Conley were integral parts of Grizzlies teams that reached the playoffs seven times, one of which reached the 2013 Western Conference Finals, but the franchise surely has its eye on the future with Jaren Jackson Jr. and the opportunity to land multiple draft picks in potential trades.

Marc Stein of the New York Times reported the Grizzlies are looking for multiple first-round picks for the 31-year-old Conley, who is averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 36.5 percent from three-point range. 

Stein noted the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz have been in contact, although he also echoed a sentiment from ESPN's Brian Windhorst that Conley would prefer to play in the Eastern Conference if he were traded.

The Memphis Grizzlies are looking for more than one first-rounder in any trades for star point guard Mike Conley, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times:

Alongside the suitors Stein mentioned, the Toronto Raptors were also rumored to be in talks with Memphis, per Jake Fischer of SI.com:

That deal feels less realistic, however, with Memphis likely seeking to tank this season in an effort to keep their first-round pick, build around Jaren Jackson Jr. and acquire multiple picks. The Grizzlies' pick will go to the Boston Celtics if it isn't in the top eight of the draft, and bringing back Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas may not be quite the tanking move Memphis wants. 

There's little question that Conley would be an upgrade for teams like the Utah Jazz or Detroit Pistons. The 31-year-old is averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three. 

He's a solid defender, can play off the ball since he's a good shooter and will bring postseason leadership and experience to any potential suitor.

He would be a perfect fit alongside second-year sensation Donovan Mitchell, taking some of the shot-creation load off Mitchell while also providing a spot-up option when Mitchell operates in isolation. The Jazz would be a much better offensive team with Conley.

In Detroit, meanwhile, he would take a ton of offensive pressure off Blake Griffin, who has essentially been a point forward for the team from the 4 this season. Conley and Griffin pick-and-rolls would be nice, with Conley a marked improvement over the team's guard play to this point. 

Conley won't come cheap, however, from both an asset and contract standpoint. He's owed $30.5 million this season, $32.5 million next season and has a player option for the 2020-21 campaign ($34.5 million). If the Grizzlies don't want to take on Andre Drummond's big contract, a starting point between the teams could be Reggie Jackson, Jon Leuer and Detroit's 2019 and 2021 first-rounders, though Memphis would almost assuredly seek more assets since Jackson and Leuer aren't on expiring deals.

Utah, meanwhile, could offer the same picks alongside Ricky Rubio and Derrick Favors. That's a stronger overall offer, especially since Rubio and Favors are on expiring deals (Favors has a non-guaranteed deal for next season but can be waived before July 5, per Spotrac.com).

Regardless, Memphis clearly wants to be handsomely compensated in any deal.

Memphis Grizzlies star Mike Conley is on the trade block ahead of Thursday's deadline and several teams are interested in upgrading at point guard.

According to Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated, the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons are both interested, with each team offering up its starting point guards as part of the deal.

The Pistons have included Reggie Jackson in packages, while the Jazz are offering Ricky Rubio and a young prospect.

The Toronto Raptors are also interested and have offered Kyle Lowry, but they want to bring in both Conley and Marc Gasol from the Grizzlies.

Utah has an elite defense and the pieces to make a deep run in the postseason, although Rubio is limited offensively at point guard. Upgrading the position with Conley could create an exciting backcourt tandem alongside Donovan Mitchell and make the Jazz a dangerous team in the Western Conference.

The team could deal Rubio, draft picks and either Dante Exum or Grayson Allen to improve the roster without losing much going forward.

Detroit isn't even in the playoffs at the moment, but adding a consistent option like Conley would create balance to go with the frontcourt duo of Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. This could be enough to climb up the Eastern Conference standings and potentially win a playoff series for the first time since 2008.

Jackson is averaging 14.6 points per game this season but is only shooting 40.8 percent from the field, which would be his lowest since his rookie season. He is also owed $18 million next season in the final year of his contract.

Considering the impact Conley can make while averaging 20.3 points and 6.3 assists per game this season, it will likely take more than just Jackson as a centerpiece of a deal. Detroit should also offer Luke Kennard or Stanley Johnson if it wants to complete a trade.

The Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz are reportedly among the teams interested in trading for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley ahead of Thursday's deadline.

Tony Jones of The Athletic reported the Jazz and Pistons are "seriously talking" about potential deals with Memphis. However, it's unclear if anything will get done before the deadline.

Marc Stein of the New York Times reported the Jazz and Grizzlies discussed a deal with Conley and Ricky Rubio as the two principal pieces.

Memphis is exploring the trade market for Conley and Marc Gasol as the team slides out of the playoff picture. The Grizzlies' 21-33 record is the second-worst in the Western Conference, and they are eight games out of the final playoff spot. Their willingness to part with Conley and Gasol signals what will likely be a full-scale rebuild.

Conley, 31, is averaging 20.3 points, 6.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds on 43.5 percent shooting. He's mostly returned to form after missing all but 11 games of last season due to an Achilles injury, though his defense and shooting have taken a slip. 

The Pistons don't have much in the way of young talent to offer Memphis. Reggie Jackson's contract is bad by itself and would likely require a first-round pick to unload in any deal. Salary matching essentially requires Jackson to be in any Detroit-Conley trade. The Pistons own all of their first-round picks, but it would probably take at least two future firsts to move the needle for Memphis.

Conley's contract has two years and $67 million remaining and would helplessly lock Detroit into a Conley-Blake Griffin-Andre Drummond trio. Those three would make $91.8 million alone for 2019-20, about 84 percent of the projected $109 million cap. 

The Jazz remain the likeliest and arguably the most attractive destination for Conley. 

Marc Gasol has spent his entire NBA playing career with the Memphis Grizzlies, but he is reportedly hoping for a trade before the Feb. 7 deadline, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN.

The Grizzlies are apparently willing to trade him, but teams will wait on the asking price to drop before making a move.

Gasol is making $24.1 million this season, but he can hit free agency in the offseason if he declines his $25.6 million player option for 2019-20.

The Charlotte Hornets are considered an "obvious fit" for the center, while the Detroit Pistons could also be interested in a trade.

The 34-year-old could be an impact player on whatever team lands him. His scoring is down over the past few years as he averaging 15.6 points per game through Friday, but he still contributes in a number of other ways.

After the latest loss the Hornets, Gasol is averaging 8.6 rebounds and a career-best 4.7 assists per game. He remains an excellent defender both at the rim and on pick-and-rolls, and he continues to improve as a shooter late in his career.

He could be a useful addition to a team that needs help in the post, like Charlotte.

If Memphis doesn't make a move by next Thursday, it wouldn't be surprising for him to test the waters in free agency this summer.

BR Video

The Grizzlies are ready to rebuild. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are on the trading block, and the Chandler Parsons contract has not worked out. Watch the above as Howard Beck explains why the Grizzlies should hit the reset button.

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The Memphis Grizzlies could be set to break up their core before the Feb. 7 trade deadline and Marc Gasol is reportedly getting a lot of interest on the market. 

According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, the Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons are among those interested in the center.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will try to add Chandler Parsons to any deal in an effort to get the rest of his four-year, $94.4 million contract off the books. The forward is making $24.1 million this season and is set to make $25.1 million in 2019-20, the final year of his deal.

Parsons hasn't provided much on the floor for Memphis, appearing in just 73 games across three seasons while averaging 7.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. 

He has only appeared in three games so far in 2018-19 but said in December that he was healthy. Perhaps a new location is what he needs to get back on the court and return to his previous level of play when he was an impact player for the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks.

Of course, Gasol will be the prize in any deal as one of the top big men in the NBA.

The three-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year remains a contributor on both ends, averaging 15.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Though his scoring has dropped slightly, he has rounded out his game as he gets older and is now a better passer and shooter than he was earlier in his career.

The 34-year-old could be a difference-maker down the stretch for a contender this season and possibly beyond. He can become a free agent this offseason if he declines a $25.6 million player option.

With the Kings or Pistons, he could potentially help get the teams to the playoffs and decide what to do in the offseason.

The biggest challenge for any interested team would be fitting both Gasol's and Parsons' contracts together in any trade.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday that the Memphis Grizzlies are open to trading point guard Mike Conley and center Marc Gasol, and that has left one of the team's longtime stars perplexed. 

"I don't understand why Mike is in those talks either," Gasol said on Wednesday, per David Cobb of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "Mike is one heck of a player, and we're going to need good players moving forward. I don't understand why Mike is in this."

As for the point guard himself, Conley understands that trade talks are just the nature of the NBA.

"It's where we're at, I guess," Conley said, per Cobb. "It's part of the business."

Conley revealed to reporters that Grizzlies owner Robert Pera informed him that the team is willing to listen to offers for both veterans. However, he is not sure if he will be moved by the Feb. 7 trade deadline.

"It was just making us aware that our names would be thrown out there," Conley said. "Not that one of us or both of us are going to be gone by next Tuesday or by All-Star break. I feel just as good about being here as the next person. I'm not worried right now. A lot can happen in a few weeks. Right now, I'm just taking it in stride."

Since being taken with the fourth overall pick in 2007, Conley has spent his entire career in Memphis. He is the franchise's all-time leader in games played and assists. The 31-year-old currently leads the team in both scoring (19.8 points per game) and assists (6.1) this season.

Back in July 2016, Conley signed what was then the richest contract in NBA history, a five-year, $153 million max deal.

"When I signed back a couple years ago, that's a thought that goes through your head that, 'man, I could play in the same place for 14 or 15 years," Conley added. "That'd be awesome, and hopefully retire one day as a Grizzly. You also understand that in three, four years a lot can happen and a lot can change. Memphis is all I know. This is my home. I love everybody here and my teammates and the organization. I don't know any better. This is new grounds for me, so we'll just see how it plays out."

Unfortunately, though, he has been plagued by injuries since signing that contract. He has not appeared in more than 69 games since signing on the dotted line, including making just 12 appearances a season ago due to a heel injury.

Conley and Gasol have been teammates since the 2008-09 campaign and led the Grizzlies to seven consecutive playoff appearances from 2010-17. That string of success includes an appearance in the 2013 Western Conference finals. 

Coming off a 22-60 performance in 2017-18, Memphis is just 19-28 this season. As a result, the team has decided to gauge the market for its two aging franchise cornerstones.

Conley is under contract for next season and has an early termination option for the 2020-21 season, which features a $34.5 million salary. Gasol, meanwhile, holds a $25.6 million player option for next season.