I know it's more popular these days to suggest pursuing Mike Bibby or Andre Miller this summer, and I know that a few months ago Conley was one of Blazer fans' favorite players to hate, but hear me out. Since the All-Star break, Conley has been playing extremely well if his numbers are an indication. Since the ASG, he is averaging 14.0 and 5.7 with 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 34 minutes. 46.1% from the floor, 40.4% from deep on 3.2 attempts, and 85.4% from the line. He also has prototypical PG size and quickness in the Paul/Parker/Rondo mold... and then there's the Greg connection. Obviously, Memphis isn't looking to give away promising young PGs. However, it seems reasonable to me that the three most crucial elements to their young core are now Mayo, Gay, and Gasol. If we make them a good value offer, I think they would part with Conley. This is what I have in mind: Sergio Rodriguez, Jerryd Bayless, #20 pick for Mike Conley and #5 pick (pick values approximate, not to mention contingent on Memphis NOT winning the Griffin sweepstakes) I should also say that I am one of the biggest Bayless homers in Portland. I constantly find myself defending him to haters, not to mention his is one of two Blazer jerseys I own. In addition to that, I thoroughly loved what I saw from Sergio tonight. But both of these guys are painfully inconsistent and the Blazers are ready to win NOW, and this will be even more true next season. Bayless is a guy that needs minutes and as sad as it makes me to give up on him, I would make the deal above. First question: Do you think Memphis listens to an offer along these lines? Second question: How do you feel going into next year with Blake as the starter in a contract year and Conley legitimately pushing him for minutes with Roy and Rudy holding down the SG? Compared to other options (signing a vet or going again with Blake/Sergio/Bayless)?
Portland may be able to trade for Conley or Jose Calderon this summer(the Raptors may want out of his contract). But they could also get Miller, Bibby, or Sessions as free agents. They are all having good seasons. We really have many attractive options. But I would not trade Bayless for Conley, and I don't think the Wolves would be too interested in that either since they already have Foye.
I'm not as gaga over Sessions as most people, but that could be mostly because I haven't seen much of him. If KP goes out of his way to sign his guy as a FA, I would have no choice but to be pumped about it. I really don't want to get Miller or Bibby though. In fact, I would rather bring in Kidd for a year or two than those guys.
out of those 5 PGs id go: Sessions Miller Conley Calderon (havent seen much of his game tbh) Bibby sessions is a good younger PG and the way Miller torched Blake on monday made me like his game all that much more, i would not give up bayless for any of the trades though they get sergio and they are damn happy with it.
I wouldn't be interested in Conley at all if Portland had to trade something of value for him. I don't think he's going to be a terribly good player. He's having a decent stretch but, for his best stretch of professional basketball ever, it's not that inspiring. I'd love to have Sessions. I'd be quite interested in Calderon depending on the price in talent. Miller would be a very nice short-term acquisition, to start for a couple of seasons until Bayless is ready.
I don't think Memphis is going to give Conley away after they gave away all their good point guards. Calderon is a guy that will be on the block, but I don't know if at his salary and his inability to play defense will garner much interest from the Blazers. I actually like Andre Miller a lot and he makes a lot of sense.
what does winning now entail? championship? wcf? playoffs? we are not ready to win a championship now, nor are we probably ready for the wcf yet. we can and will make the playoffs and we should be looking to make some noise in said playoffs. saying that, i'm not really sure how conley helps take us over the next hump. he's an ok PG but not yet elite and would add to list of young talented guys trying to make a name for himself. i'm much more interested in bringing in a vet (and dumping blake) to mentor bayless and/or sergio. both these young guys are inconsistant but that is what youth gets you.
