The Phoenix Suns are in desperate need of a point guard – but Mike Conley should absolutely not be a target of theirs this offseason.
On Monday May 20, John Gambadoro stated that the Phoenix Suns will not have any interest in pursuing Mike Conley this offseason.
You can listen to the segment here.
And while I rarely invoke the almighty on the trivial pursuits of my sports ambitions, I have no more of an honest a statement than this:
“Thank God.”
Before getting into the numerous and obvious reasons why, I first have to say: I have absolutely nothing against Mike Conley the man. He’s never been in trouble and seems to be a legit leader in the locker room.
If there was any way he could be afforded at a price less than half of what he is being paid, I would be totally fine.
While NBA contracts are currently still in a state of flux from the still recent spike in the salary cap, the contracts of all players cannot yet be compared to one another in totality just yet; so if it was possible to swap one bad contract in Tyler Johnson for another in Conley in a relative straight up deal, I’d be all for it as a Phoenix Suns fan.
But since it can not be: no thank you.
His salary too being the primo, number one, reason why they should not touch him with a ten-foot pole.
Much like Chris Paul (who I wrote about in a similar light very recently), Mike Conley just makes WAY too much for the production he provides.
Phoenix Suns
Conley’s contract is a result of there being a shortage of players at a particular position and the desire to have at least one decent one, rather than a result of him being a truly outstanding player.
Although never an All-Star, he is due $32.5M this season and $34.5M in 2020-21 (which is now fully guaranteed since he appeared in 70 games in 2018-19, exceeding the requirement of playing in at least 55 in either this season or next), Phoenix would have a middling, average point guard on their roster (which actually would help – let’s be honest), but would then be entirely hamstrung otherwise, blocking all other opportunities to improve the roster.
*At least Shawn Marion had been a multi-time All-Star when the Phoenix Suns offered him a max contract making him the highest paid player on the roster.
Forget the fact that there are a number of very good point guards in the Western Conference, not only has Conley never been an All-Star, but he has never been a point guard worthy of being an All-Star, regardless of the Conference.
Conley too will be 32 when the regular season begins, and already has nearly a full year missed due to major injury.
The Phoenix Suns are in desperate need of filling multiple roster deficiencies and cannot afford to waste any more of Devin Booker‘s early prime years – as well as some of Deandre Ayton‘s early developmental years – on a point guard who is not going to have any future with the franchise beyond two years from now; especially one who’s contract would block them from making other major moves along the way.
Finally, what would the Phoenix Suns have to give up?
Conley averaged 21.1p (a career-high) and 6.4a (just .1 below his career-high) per game last season, so I do not believe that the Grizzlies are going to give him up for nothing.
Would you trade the 6th overall pick for him (remember, he’d only be in Phoenix for two seasons – and Damian Lillard was selected 6th overall, once upon a time)?
Absolutely not. To anyone who would sincerely consider that trade, I am eternally gratified that you have zero authority in the formation of the Phoenix Suns’ roster.
If Memphis were to ask for a single young player already on the roster, I’d spit on that as well for the very same reason.
Even Josh Jackson; yes, he has had a sub-par first two seasons; yes, his arrest is extremely worrisome; yes, I would trade him – for a player under the age of 25 or a first round pick.
But no: I would never consider dumping him off like he is a broken down veteran.
While I am not positive that he will ever be an above average professional, he is only 21-years-old, and if history has shown us anything, it is the capacity of a human being to become great when they were once written off.
While I would be just fine with him being traded this offseason, never in a situation that essentially wrote him off as an utter bust, when there is so much room for improvement if shown the way.
The Phoenix Suns have no money for Mike Conley; no one to give up for him; no time for him.
The Phoenix Suns should absolutely avoid acquiring him this offseason – and if John Gambadoro is right, then they have already made the right decision.