It seems like we always hear of only certain teams making moves this offseason (see: the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, etc.) and one team that we hardly hear of but is on the cusp of making some noise in the Western Conference is the Utah Jazz.
With a need at point guard and rumors that they were interested in Mike Conley, the Jazz have finally pulled the trigger and brought the seasoned veteran in.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Utah have traded Kyle Korver, Grayson Allen, Jae Crowder, the 23rd pick in Thursday’s draft and a future first round pick for Conley today.
Memphis has traded guard Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz for Grayson Allen, Kyle Korver and Jae Crowder, the 23rd pick in Thursday's Draft and a future first-round pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2019
The Jazz will send a protected 2020 first-round pick to the Grizzlies, league sources tell ESPN. That pick will convey as a late-lottery pick in 2020 or 2021, or become a lightly-protected pick from 2022-'24. Deal complete on July 6. https://t.co/UY47lnIOWU
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2019
With Marc Gasol out earlier last season, this move was imminent for Mike. The Grizzlies have been looking to trade him for a while and the Jazz almost had a deal in place to acquire him last season. Ultimately, the deal fell through but the two sides ramped up talks recently to make it happen.
This pretty much guarantees Memphis drafts Ja Morant with the second overall pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, a point guard to take over the open position and lead the new youth movement with the Grizzlies.
Utah has been one or two pieces away from contending in the West and though this doesn’t make them immediate titled contenders, it surely puts them in position.
Don’t sleep on the defensive work they’re losing in Jae Crowder, though.