On Tuesday, a report that would have once been unthinkable came out. According to ESPN.com, the Memphis Grizzlies are entertaining trade offers for franchise cornerstones Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. Both players have spent their entire careers with the Grizzlies, who reached the playoffs every year from 2011-2017. However, Memphis finished 22-60 a season ago and is currently next to last in the Western Conference.

Since it’s unlikely the Grizzlies will return to the postseason this year, team owner Robert Pera recently informed Conley and Gasol that they are on the trade block. Thus, it could soon be time for the NBA’s longest-tenured teammates to say adios to one another.

Despite now being 31 and 33, respectively, Conley and Gasol remain two of the top players at their positions. Gasol can opt out of his current deal this summer, but Conley is under contract for two more years. So, with the trade deadline looming on Feb. 7, where could the former fourth overall pick end up?

Marc Gasol, Mike Conley
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Gasol spoke with the Memphis Commercial Appeal about the situation, and he had this to say about his longtime teammate:

“I don’t understand why Mike is in those talks either. Mike is one heck of a player, and we’re going to need good players moving forward. I don’t understand why Mike is in this.”

Nonetheless, Conley is in this. And there will definitely be no shortage of teams interested in one of the game’s most talented point guards.

Here are three teams who should go all-out to trade for Conley.

3. Phoenix Suns

The only team below the Grizzlies in the Western Conference is the Suns. One of the youngest squads in the league, they rely on the combination of De’Anthony Melton and Elie Okobo to handle the point guard duties.

Devin Booker is also capable of running the point, and he actually leads the Suns in assists at 6.9 per game. But with Conley on board, he could play off the ball much more often and concentrate more on sinking shots, which is his best asset.

Conley, Booker and rookie center Deandre Ayton would give Phoenix its own version of a “big three.” Such a move — involving such pieces as Ryan Anderson, Dragan Bender and multiple draft picks — likely still wouldn’t be enough to push the Suns into the upper echelon of the Western Conference, but it would probably be enough to help them return to the playoffs, a place they haven’t been since 2010.

Mike Conley J.B. Bickerstaff
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Perhaps even more importantly, Conley would give the Suns some much-needed veteran experience. He knows all about the Western Conference and how difficult it is to navigate. Plus, he knows when to defer to his teammates and when to look for his own shot, and he also remains one of the top defensive point guards in the game.

2. Dallas Mavericks

It’s hard to believe that the Mavericks could possibly part with a talented second-year point guard. But due to the unrest that is rumored to exist between said player Dennis Smith Jr. and rookie sensation Luka Doncic, they might have to.

Smith recently returned to the team following a six-game absence, but there still seems to be a divide between the young players. Unless Dallas is quickly able to remedy the situation, it could negatively impact the future of the franchise.

On the other hand, trading for Conley could have a positive effect on the future of the franchise. He’s an unselfish player who has never displayed any problems on or off the court. That’s probably why he has experienced such sustained success in Memphis, becoming one of the most beloved players in franchise history.

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Ariana Madix surrounded by piles of cash.

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Speaking of beloved players, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki is likely to retire at the end of the season. So a guy like Conley could be the perfect player to take over as the new team leader.

Mike Conley

1. Indiana Pacers

Unfortunately for the Pacers, leading scorer Victor Oladipo suffered a season-ending knee injury on Wednesday night. The injury comes at a terrible time for the third-best team in the Eastern Conference. Howv might it necessitate a trade with a team out West?

Losing their best player is going to hurt the Pacers no matter what they do. But imagine a package centered around the expiring contracts of Tyreke Evans and Darren Collison along with multiple draft picks. That just might be enough to get a deal done.

Not only that, but Conley is an Indianapolis native who played at nearby Ohio State University. That could also work in Indiana’s favor, as it could re-energize the 12th-year pro. Additionally, the Pacers seem to operate under the same low-key, blue-collar approach that Conley has displayed throughout his NBA career.

Also, imagine how dangerous the Pacers would be once Oladipo returns next season. He and Conley seem like they would complement each other perfectly, and the duo could help Indiana become the new beasts of the East.