On the “Keeping Rubio” post, one commenter questioned my sobriety for suggesting the Grizzlies might be able to deal Mike Conley in a package that nets a lottery pick in this year’s draft. I started to respond in the comments but realized it would be comically long for that space, so instead I’ll respond in a separate post here:
It remains to be seen whether a team would deal a lottery pick for Conley, but it would be stupid if no-one would. Last season, after the coaching change, when the reins were lifted and Conley was allowed to really play, he closed the season on a three-month run in which he essentially averaged 15 points, 4 boards, 6 assists, and close to 2 steals a game while shooting 44/40/80. This was as a 20-year-old, second-year point guard who’d missed half his rookie year. That’s really good production from someone of Conley’s experience level and position. This is also someone who was a #4 pick just two years ago and one of the two best players on a team that went to the national title game in a good year for college basketball.
