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The Memphis Grizzlies are still trying to find a trade partner for guard Mike Conley, and with less than five hours to go before the trade deadline, no deal has materialized despite teams like the Utah Jazz and the Detroit Pistons showing interest in acquiring the 11-year veteran.
One of the factors that seem to have made a Conley trade difficult for Memphis is the speculation that he only wants to be traded to an Eastern Conference team. However, Conley himself has denied that rumor.
At Grizzlies shootaround this morning, Mike Conley says he'll play anywhere he's traded https://t.co/SGl2g5K2Tt
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 7, 2019
Another reason why Conley hasn't been dealt yet is the Grizzlies' asking price. They reportedly want multiple draft picks plus young assets or expiring contracts in exchange for him. Both the Jazz and the Pistons are only willing to give away one first round pick ang aging veterans to Memphis.
Utah reportedly offered them Ricky Rubio, Derrick Favors, and a pick while Detroit offered a trade involving Reggie Jackson and a pick. However, Memphis asked for Dante Exum from the Jazz and Luke Kennard from the Pistons, but neither of the two wanted to give them their young prospects.
The Grizzlies are still pushing hard to move both Conley and Marc Gasol as they are now planning to rebuild the team. However, they might not be able to find any trade partners before the deadline buzzer sounds because of their steep asking price for both veterans. Sure, they still play at a high level, other teams around the league know that. But they are also past their primes, and no one is willing to give a young, promising player for veterans who are only good for roughly 2-3 years.
That's the reality the Grizzlies are facing.
