The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly locked in on drafting Murray State point guard Ja Morant with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, which will likely signal the end of Mike Conley's tenure in Memphis.
According to The New York Times' Marc Stein, the Grizzlies "are widely expected to use the No. 2 pick on Murray State’s Ja Morant and trade the ever-reliable Mike Conley." The 12-year veteran was selected fourth overall by Memphis out of Ohio State in 2007, and he has spent his entire career with the franchise.
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The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor recently reported that the Utah Jazz are among the teams expected to pursue Conley. O'Connor notes, "multiple league sources said this week that the Jazz are expected to make another push" for the 31-year old lefty.
Last season with the Grizz, Conley averaged a career-high 21.1 points with 6.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 70 appearances this season. The issue with Conley, however, is his hefty contract. He is guaranteed $32 million in 2019-20 and any team looking to make a trade would also have to be willing to pay him $34.5 million in the 2020-21 season as part of his original five-year, $153 million contract.
Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer which will clear up some cap space if the team does want to make a deal for Conley.
