Mike Conley Is Reportedly Staying In Utah
Free-agent point guard Mike Conley has reportedly agreed to a deal to stay with the Utah Jazz. The Athletic’s Shams Charnia is reporting that the veteran will sign a three-year, $68-million deal with the Jazz, who finished with the best record in the regular season. This should not come as a surprise, as it remains to be seen how many true suitors there would have been outside of Utah. At age 33, however, there are questions to be asked of Conley. He was an All-Star for the first time in 2021, but we probably won’t see him at another all-star game. He was a valuable asset in Quin Snyder’s offense, but will his 6-foot-1 frame and declining athleticism make him a liability on defense?
While Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert will more than likely produce more of the same, the rest of this Utah roster was a question mark. They will more than likely struggle in a loaded Western Conference. It makes sense why the Jazz held onto him. He is still a good player and they would not find a better starting point guard in free agency. However, the best may have already come and gone for Conley and the Jazz. Unfortunately, it is not even a matter of whether they are worse than in 2021. Their competition simply will be a lot better.
The Even More Wild West
Fully healthy squads in Golden State, Denver, and LA are already a handful. But young and hungry teams in Dallas, Memphis, and New Orleans are looking to take the next step. Have we forgotten about the conference-winning Suns who have kept their core intact for 2022? It’s not impossible, but Conley and the Jazz have a tall order ahead of them.
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