The Utah Jazz began the 2022-23 NBA season as the most surprising team in the league. How did a team that moved on from Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Royce O’Neale manage to get off to one of the hottest starts in the league?
As many expected, the Jazz’s hot start turned into tapered-off results for the short term as they navigate their rebuild around new key pieces like Lauri Markkanen. As the trade deadline nears, they hold a 23-24 record with plenty of options to get active in making a deal. Could they look to move on from an older veteran to add to their collection of assets?
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the LA Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in a trade with the Jazz for Mike Conley.
The Timberwolves and Clippers are expressing interest in Jazz guard Mike Conley Jr., league sources say. Conley, a well-respected veteran in Utah and across the league, has averaged 10.3 points, 7.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds this season. The Jazz are 5-7 without Conley this season and 18-17 with him in the lineup.
The Clippers have struggled to establish consistency at point guard between John Wall and Reggie Jackson. It would make sense to pursue an option like Conley. As for the Timberwolves, they have to decide on the point guard position soon. D’Angelo Russell is playing on an expiring contract, and he doesn’t appear to be part of the future.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz, LA Clippers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Conley is having a decent season, averaging 10.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists through 35 appearances. He’s shooting just 38.6 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent from 3-point range. An acquiring team would surely like to see his efficiency improve.
The Jazz had initially been reluctant to trade Conley entering the season due to the value they placed on his veteran leadership. With a first-year coach in Will Hardy, it helps to have committed veterans that will assist the team’s younger players through the development process.
As the Jazz continued to succeed early on, they went from being a feel-good story to being an actual threat to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. While they’ve declined in their success, as previously noted, they still are in the mix for a play-in tournament appearance.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz, LA Clippers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
If the goal for the Jazz is to acquire an asset or to use Conley’s contract in a trade to help better position the franchise for the future, they should do it sooner rather than later. The 35-year-old is only going to continue to see diminished trade value the longer that Utah waits to make a move.
