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NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Now Have Better Chance At Landing Mike Conley?

By Nicholas Sciria
Published on: 08:35 PST, May 8, 2016

After a disappointing season, the New York Knicks will need to make changes this offseason to boost the team’s chances at making the playoffs next year. For the Knicks, the point guard position was a disaster this past season, and this hole will be the first order of business for New York this offseason. Looking at the possible options, Mike Conley sits atop the list of potential additions that could ignite a playoff run.

In the past season, the Knicks saw minimal production from their point guard position. Jose Calderon started 72 games for New York, but it is clear that he is much more suited as a bench player at this stage in his career. Calderon finished this season shooting 41.4 percent from behind the arc, and his shooting will certainly be a weapon off of the Knicks’ bench next season. However, he is not the point guard of the future in New York.

Behind Calderon, rookie Jerian Grant had a disappointing rookie season with the Knicks. Grant started only six games despite the lack of other options on New York’s roster. Grant averaged only 12.1 points and 5 assists per 36 minutes, and his field goal percentage of 39.4 percent is a cause for concern for the Knicks.

Now, with the gaping hole at the point guard position quite clear, New York will look to make a big splash in free agency this summer. One of the most prized possessions this offseason will certainly be Mike Conley, and the Knicks may now have at signing him given the recent developments in Memphis.

With Dave Joerger not returning to the Memphis Grizzlies, possible disarray could lead Conley somewhere else. Despite the Grizzlies ample cap space, the New York Post suggests that the Knicks have a shot at signing Conley this summer.

“Memphis can offer Conley more than $100 million, and GM Chris Wallace guaranteed they would re-sign him. Conley’s odds of bolting Memphis could be increased by the Saturday firing of Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger and reports of Wallace’s potential departure.”

Of course, Conley would be a perfect fit in New York given their lack of depth at the position. Conley comes along with little baggage, and his fit in the triangle makes sense. Furthermore, he has shot 37.3 percent from three-point range in his career in the NBA and he has posted impressive numbers of 17.5 points and 7 assists per 36 minutes this past season. Along with teammate Marc Gasol, Conley has made the Grizzlies into a respectable Western Conference foe since 2010.

Still, it is unclear if Conley would be intrigued by what the Knicks can offer. New York has built their team around an aging superstar, and despite drafting Kristaps Porzingis, the team is not necessarily trending upward. The Knicks have limited depth and very few draft picks in the future to address that weakness. Additionally, New York let go of head coach Derek Fisher this past season, and if the Knicks keep Kurt Rambis, his retention will fail to excite Conley into signing with New York.

Ultimately, the Knicks will be fighting against several other teams this summer in their attempts to land Conley this offseason. The Grizzlies will have the first chance at landing their point guard, and Memphis’ ability to give him more money than any other team certainly gives them an edge. However, if Conley decides to leave the Grizzlies for another team, New York will certainly enter the fight for his services.

[Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images]

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