Five Early Free Agent Targets Bryan Colangelo Will Covet

All of the parameters aren’t quite in place with Mike Conley like they are with Demar DeRozan, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s an unrestricted free agent this summer. Mike Conley Jr. is represented by his father Mike Conley Sr. and you can bet the father-son team will be looking to cash in on a max contract, or at least close to it. I’m sure Jerry and Bryan can appreciate a family good ol’ family business. With Conley being 28, this will likely be his final chance at the big bucks before he hits the tail end of his career.

Before rupturing his achilles back on March 7th Conley was in the midst of his third straight season with 15 points per game and 5 assists per game. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking…”Ish Smith put up those kind of numbers this year, and we sure as hell aren’t paying him a max deal.” True, but its the consistency that Mike Conley has shown in a very tough Western Conference that leads me to believe he could be a force in Philly. No one holds up as a starting PG in the West for 8 years if you’re not a very solid basketball player.

Mike Conley holds the record for most games played as a Memphis Grizzlies player, and current Vice President of Player Personell, Ed Stefanski has been adamant that he expects Conley to stay in Memphis. Not only because the Grizz want him back badly, but also because Stefanski thinks players like Conley really do love Memphis. Marc Gasol‘s willingness to stick around last season despite a plethora of other options is a testament to that.

All signs in Memphis point to Conley returning next year, but nothing is ever set in stone when you’ve got that UFA tag next to your name. Perhaps Uncle Jerry and cousin Bryan could pull off a shocker.

Next: #3 Nicolas Batum