Milwaukee Bucks: 5 veteran guards that could be trade targets

Milwaukee Bucks: 5 veteran guards that could be trade targets – Mike Conley

Mike Conley has long been recognized as one of the more steady point guards in the league over the years, especially in a loaded class of superstar guards out in the Western Conference.

After 12 years with the Memphis Grizzlies, Conley’s big move to the Utah Jazz last summer never really materialized in the way that both he and the Jazz envisioned in what was a strange season for the club overall. Injuries limited Conley to 47 appearances and an extended offensive slump throughout the year dulled his impact on the Jazz where he averaged 14.4 points on .409/.375/.827 shooting splits, 4.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds on the year.

Now Conley faces the decision as to whether to pick up his $34.5 million option for next season. The Athletic’s Tony Jones ($$) reported earlier this month that Conley “will very likely opt into the final year of his contract.”

But in Utah’s quest to go from good to great and facing a coming cap crunch with their core, a shrewd front office like the Jazz’s may end up dangling Conley to replenish their assets and their foundation that changed significantly last offseason.

Of course, the Bucks’ concerns of taking on such an exorbitant salary like Paul’s similarly exist with Conley. It would take for the Bucks to throw in Bledsoe and D.J. Wilson’s expiring $4.5 million salary (and bird rights), guarantee Ersan Ilyasova’s $7 million salary for next season and Robin Lopez to opt in to his $5 million player option to come close to matching what Conley is owed. And draft picks will surely have to be added to entice the Jazz into making such a move.

Even with age-related and injury concerns surrounding Conley, that hypothetical trade scenario certainly lowers the Jazz’s ceiling to compete in what will be a loaded West again next season. Personally speaking, it would be in the Jazz’s best interest to run it back next year and hope that some internal continuity springs them forward in their quest to become a title contender.

Conley certainly possesses the skill set and character that the Bucks would seek to replace Bledsoe and Utah could be a shark in the water and smell the Bucks’ desperation to make an all-in move going into the 2020-21 season.