Ian Begley
ESPN Staff Writer

Here's a bit of potentially good news for those Knicks fans interested in free agent Mike Conley: some members of the Grizzlies front office are growing a bit concerned about the possibility of Conley leaving in free agency, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Memphis, which plans on using a video featuring Grizzlies part-owner Justin Timberlake as part of its recruiting pitch, per a source, can offer Conley a five-year deal worth approximately $124 million. Other clubs can ink Conley to a max contract for four years worth approximately $92 million. Both Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek and GM Steve Mills has mentioned point guard as a position of emphasis for New York this offseason.

1 week ago – via Basketball Insiders
The narrative all season around Conley was that he was staying in Memphis. However, sources close to Conley’s camp said recently that Conley is more open to new situations than anyone in Memphis would be comfortable with. The narrative from those sources is that Conley is concerned that the Grizzlies cannot add enough to the roster to get them seriously into championship status and if that does not happen, he’s not willing to tie his career to Memphis in the long-term.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/SBondyNYDN/status/741445154192646144

He would be a perfect fit at PG with KP and Melo. We would instantly be a near-50 win team with a few other moves.

PG Conley / Grant / Calderon
SG C.Lee / Galloway / Wroten
SF Melo / Lance
PF KP / DWill
C Rolo / Hernangomez

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Outside of that risk there's nothing not to like about him. He would have a very positive impact on this team. In the kind of mixed style JH is likely to employ Conley is perfectly equipped to run this team. He can play uptempo and in the half court.

nixluva wrote:The only concern I've had with Conley was his injury situation and his being a somewhat slightly built guy. I think he has to push himself in order to be as successful as he's been and I'm not so sure he can keep up this level of effort. Committing big dollars to him comes with risk.

Outside of that risk there's nothing not to like about him. He would have a very positive impact on this team. In the kind of mixed style JH is likely to employ Conley is perfectly equipped to run this team. He can play uptempo and in the half court.

Conley would not have to be a long-term solution because Jerian Grant is that. In the interim, Grant becomes his understudy who can learn the ropes of the position from one of its best.

EnySpree wrote:My issue is overpaying for a declining player. I don't want to do that. Plus I don't think Conley is that good to blow our cap on. The Derrick Rose idea is better because of the commitment.

The Hornacek comment says it all though. The Knicks are looking to add an established player at point guard.

I understand the injury worries, but statistically, his numbers have been very consistent the past three seasons.

He's 28 - same age as Westbrook and Curry. He's played very very well against both those guys in the playoffs.

I don't think we should be too worried about a contract that would make him a Knick from age 28 to 32.

mreinman wrote:does anyone here want to pay him 25-30 million a year?

The max the Knicks can pay him is $92M for 4yrs which is right in the article above.

I would pay him that without hesitation. We'll have another $20M+ in cap room next summer, too.

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

You see a max player here? He's not a 25 million dollar player in no shape or form. He's a good player but for half of that price. Nothing that's he's doing here is all that special.

I'm not sure what math you're getting $25M a year from. It's 4yr $92M max. First year of that deal would be ~$21M and about 20% of the cap. Five years ago when the cap was $55M that's the same as an $11M deal. New math for a new cap.

I'm about building a TEAM of COMPLIMENTARY parts. Conley would be a perfect complement to Melo and KP and even Rolo.

I'm all about building the team. We have Rolo, Melo under contract for 3yrs. Getting Conley for 4yrs would sync up nicely.

You need to watch a full Conley game to see the impact he has on offense, defense, etc. He would be a MASSIVE upgrade.

crzymdups wrote:

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

You see a max player here? He's not a 25 million dollar player in no shape or form. He's a good player but for half of that price. Nothing that's he's doing here is all that special.

I'm not sure what math you're getting $25M a year from. It's 4yr $92M max. First year of that deal would be ~$21M and about 20% of the cap. Five years ago when the cap was $55M that's the same as an $11M deal. New math for a new cap.

I'm about building a TEAM of COMPLIMENTARY parts. Conley would be a perfect complement to Melo and KP and even Rolo.

I'm all about building the team. We have Rolo, Melo under contract for 3yrs. Getting Conley for 4yrs would sync up nicely.

You need to watch a full Conley game to see the impact he has on offense, defense, etc. He would be a MASSIVE upgrade.

I'm about team building too.... a complimentary you just don't spend 21 million on a compliment.

mreinman wrote:does anyone here want to pay him 25-30 million a year?

What's the opportunity cost?

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

EnySpree wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

You see a max player here? He's not a 25 million dollar player in no shape or form. He's a good player but for half of that price. Nothing that's he's doing here is all that special.

I'm not sure what math you're getting $25M a year from. It's 4yr $92M max. First year of that deal would be ~$21M and about 20% of the cap. Five years ago when the cap was $55M that's the same as an $11M deal. New math for a new cap.

I'm about building a TEAM of COMPLIMENTARY parts. Conley would be a perfect complement to Melo and KP and even Rolo.

I'm all about building the team. We have Rolo, Melo under contract for 3yrs. Getting Conley for 4yrs would sync up nicely.

You need to watch a full Conley game to see the impact he has on offense, defense, etc. He would be a MASSIVE upgrade.

I'm about team building too.... a complimentary you just don't spend 21 million on a compliment.

What's the opportunity cost involved?