Chicago Bulls: Grizzlies Mike Conley future Windy City teammate?
What would the Chicago Bulls have to do tonight to win over some of the interest of the Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Mike Conley to join the team?
With the passing of the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline, any opportunity the Chicago Bulls had of adding a much-needed upgrade at point guard to the starting five also died until the off-season. This summer will be the next time that the fans of the Chicago Bulls can hope that the front office will pull the trigger on acquiring a potential franchise difference-maker like Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley.
Moreover, the Bulls are set to match up against Mike Conley and the Grizzlies on Feb. 13. Less than one week after the deadline passed, the Bulls have the opportunity to face one of the players that should’ve been on the management’s radar on the trade block.
Mike Conley can be an elite point guard in the NBA that sits among the best two-way players at his position. It can be difficult to find solid two-way point guards in today’s NBA with how many exert more energy only on the offensive end of the floor. However, Conley does not fit the bill in that regard since he’s usually just as stout on defense as he is on offense.
One of the more surprising moves at the deadline was the decision of the Grizzlies to hold onto Conley at least until the summer. Memphis did ship out the star big man Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors, and was expected to at least attempt to move Mike Conley. Nothing of the sort transpired last week, though.
Something that is good for the entertainment factor of this seemingly otherwise meaning meeting between the Bulls and Grizzlies is that Mike Conley is not listed on the injury report and should be active. According to Number Fire, Conley’s return to the lineup would be a good thing for the Grizzlies, but it would push guard Delon Wright back to the second unit in the rotation.
Yet, in a recent Q&A regarding the Bulls deadline strategy for targeting a point guard from the Chicago Tribune, the deal options were explored for Mike Conley and the Los Angeles Lakers young talent Lonzo Ball. There hasn’t been any recent trade rumors or intent from the Bulls front office looming for free agency that shows interest in acquiring Conley.
The need is there for the Bulls to add a veteran point guard with nearly the exact skill set of Conley to the mix in the Windy City. Pushing the former Minnesota Timberwolves top five NBA Draft selection guard Kris Dunn out of the future picture for the Bulls is pivotal to moving this rebuild forward.