Another veteran star is on the move before Thursday’s NBA Draft as the Grizzlies have traded franchise stalwart Mike Conley Jr. to the Jazz for a haul that includes three players and two picks.
In return for the 12-year veteran, Memphis will receive Jae Crowder, veterans sharpshooter Kyle Korver, 2018 first-round pick Grayson Allen, the 23rd pick in Thursday’s draft and a future first-round pick, according to ESPN.
Memphis holds the No. 2 pick in the draft and it is expected to select Murray State guard Ja Morant, which made Conley expendable.
What more can I say about my city! You guys made me the man I am today! Memphis is home. Always! 🙌🏾🙌🏾..Time for another chapter! Excited to give all I have to The Jazz and the city of Utah! #LetsGetIt #GodsPlan #takenote 💪🏾
— Mike Conley (@mconley11) June 19, 2019
Conley, 31, averaged 21.1 points and 6.4 assists in 70 games for the Grizzlies last season. He shot 43.8% from the field and 36.4 percent from 3-point range. He has two seasons remaining on the five-year, $153 million extension he signed with Memphis in July 2016.
15+ & 4+ & 1+ - Mike Conley is one of 10 players to average 15+ points, 4+ assists and 1+ steals per game in each of the last six #NBA seasons. Steward. pic.twitter.com/Vlb9IDlcx5
— OptaLarry🏀 (@OptaLarry) June 19, 2019
"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 said in January (via NBA.com). "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."
Conley will now pair with Donovan Mitchell in Utah to form one of the more intriguing backcourts in the NBA.