Grizzlies' Conley would 'love' to play for contender
As the Memphis Grizzlies' season winds down with no chance of a playoff appearance, veteran point guard Mike Conley is hoping his near future will involve suiting up for a more competitive team - one way or another.
"It's just really late in my career, and I want to have a chance to win," Conley told Bleacher Report's Jonathan Abrams.
"I want to be able to contend and compete or have an opportunity. Whether that's here or anywhere, I'd love to have that opportunity, but I love Memphis. I love being here. I love all of the things we've created and still are creating. But if they're willing to trade me to help force that rebuild, then I am all for competing for championships and other things like that elsewhere."
The 31-year-old Conley has spent his entire career in Memphis since being drafted fourth overall by the club in 2007. He led the Grizzlies to seven straight playoffs appearances, which included a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2012-13.
However, Memphis is now set to miss the playoffs for the second straight season and appears ready for a lengthy rebuild after dealing Conley's longtime running mate, Marc Gasol, to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline. If that's the case, Conley's father and agent, Mike Conley Sr., doesn't want his son to have any part of it.
"If the Grizzlies are in a rebuild, Mike can't be around for that," Conley Sr. said. "It's unfair to put him in that situation. He's given too much to the program and to the city for him to have to be put through that. So, I hope whatever they end up doing, they do the right thing by him."
This season, Conley is averaging a career-high 20.9 points along with 6.4 assists per contest in 69 appearances. He recently passed Gasol to become the Grizzlies' all-time leading scorer after already pacing the franchise in career assists, steals, and made 3-pointers.
The veteran has two seasons remaining on a five-year, $152-million deal he signed in 2016. At the time, it was the richest contract in NBA history.