Mike Conley
Mike Conley got paid already. He signed a monster five-year, $152.6 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies back in 2016. Three teams later, Conley is in the final year of that deal with the Utah Jazz. He is earning $34 million this season and will be a restricted free agent once the year is complete.
At this point, Conley should be focusing on playing time and contending for a title. He can do that right now with the Jazz, but if he wants to get paid, the Raptors could be a viable option for him. Toronto is not going to be able to field a great team but could use a stopgap option in the backcourt alongside Fred VanVleet if they were unable to bring back Kyle Lowry.
Both could potentially be done in Toronto if the front office pushes the right buttons. With Lowry on his way out, this leaves a hole at the point guard position and Mike Conley could be the veteran to fill the void. This would allow the Raptors to keep their game plan in place.
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Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry are similar players, with Conley being a year younger. There would be little adjustment when looking at the offensive scheme for next season. The initial attraction should be strong for Toronto because of their need at the top of the offseason.
When Mike Conley was in Memphis, there were talks of the Raptors attempting to bring him to town in a deal that included Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas. The Grizzlies turned it down but Toronto showed their hand in how they feel about Conley. This could be their chance to finally put him in a Raptors’ uniform.
