Lakers, Clippers, Timberwolves Linked To Mike Conley Trade

Mike Conley, Utah Jazz, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

It took longer than anticipated, but the Utah Jazz have begun their descent down the Western Conference standings. They got off to a surprisingly hot start, but things have cooled off in recent weeks as they barely hold onto the final spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

This is a position everyone expected Utah to be in coming into the 2022-23 season. They traded away Royce O’Neale, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Bojan Bogdanovic, who were all key parts of the team for the last few seasons.

With a treasure trove of assets and some young building blocks, the Jazz are set up for the future. Expect them to continue adding to those assets ahead of the trade deadline, which is set for February 9th.

There are still a few veterans on the roster who have been garnering interest on the trade market. Leading the way has been point guard Mike Conley Jr. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, and Minnesota Timberwolves are three teams that have shown interest in Conley.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates

While the Jazz love what Conley brings to the table as a veteran leader, it is in the franchise’s best interest, and Conley’s, if he is traded in the next two weeks. It would provide him a chance to compete for a title, while Utah continues on its road to rebuilding.

Of the three aforementioned teams, the Clippers seem like the most realistic landing spot. Conley believed he was going to land with them in the offseason and their interest in him has not waned. They are desperate for help in the backcourt as well as Reggie Jackson and John Wall have been among the least effective point guard tandems in the NBA.

It is hard to envision the Lakers being able to put together a package for Conley unless they are willing to part with Russell Westbrook and their future first-round draft picks. If they could get Jordan Clarkson or Malik Beasley added to the package, it is a deal Rob Pelinka would have to think long and hard about.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates

Adding Conley and either Clarkson or Beasley along with the recently acquired Rui Hachimura to the Lakers rotation could make them a dangerous team. All are excellent fits skill-set-wise alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who are more than capable of carrying a team when healthy.

Minnesota could show interest in swapping Conley for D’Angelo Russell. Russell is having a very good season, but on an expiring contract, the Timberwolves may see value in swapping him out for Conley, who is on an affordable contract, albeit partially guaranteed, for the 2023-24 season.

Analysts Praise New York Knicks After Win vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Throughout the NBA season, several games will stick out to teams as potential turning points. For the New York Knicks, Sunday evening against the Cleveland

Los Angeles Clippers Face Brutal Russell Westbrook Injury Update

One of the reasons that the Los Angeles Clippers have found so much success during the 2023-24 NBA regular season has been their ability to

Chris Paul Claims Daryl Morey Lied To Him About Thunder Trade

Being traded is something that Golden State Warriors point guard Chris Paul has become all too familiar with during his NBA career. He has played