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For the first time in his NBA career, Mike Conley will be suiting up for a team other than the Memphis Grizzlies. He will be forming an impressive backcourt duo with Donovan Mitchell on the Utah Jazz.
Last season, Conley played in 70 games and averaged 21.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. It was a real sign of progress for him to play in that many games given that he appeared in just 12 games in 2018-19. His efficiency as a scorer suffered compared to the production of his last relatively full season and improving upon that will be necessary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAvei_S0vlY
The trade that sent Conley to the Jazz featured Grayson Allen, Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder, the 23rd overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and a 2020 protected first-round pick. The greatest risk associated with the acquisition is the $32.5 million that he is set to earn this season and the $34.5 million player option that he has in 2020-21.
Here are three numbers for Mike Conley to target this season:
3. Produce closer to 1.25 PPP as a finisher
There wasn't a more efficient high volume scoring guard on finishes around the basket in the NBA during Conley's final healthy season before undergoing surgery to smooth a small bone intrusion in his left heel.
The production that Conley provided the Grizzlies in 2016-17 as a finisher within the half-court measured out as being 1.296 points per possession (85th percentile). He is coming off a season where he posted 1.09 points per possession (39th percentile) on these particular attempts. The gap in output is substantial and could prove to be troubling as he ages if progress isn't achieved.
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It would be unreasonable to expect a soon to be 32-year-old Conley to be an elite finisher like he was before his heel injury. However, he should make it a goal to at least improve upon his 2018-19 production and be as close to 1.25 PPP on finishes around the basket as possible.
2. Produce closer to 1.05 PPP on off the dribble jumpers
There was a time when Conley was one of the absolute most efficient high volume off the dribble jump shooters in the NBA. Getting closer to that previous production after a down season would be ideal for both he and the Jazz.
The 2016-17 season was the last year that Conley played a majority of the games and he was substantially more effective as an off the dribble shooter. He produced 1.1 points per possession (96th percentile) within the half-court during that season and that was vastly superior to the 0.876 points per possession (61st percentile) figure that he posted last season.
It would go a long way for the Jazz to have Conley recover his effectiveness as pull-up shooters that he has achieved in previous years. Producing close to 1.05 points per possession on off the dribble jump shots should be something to aspire towards.
1. Average at least 7 assists
The group of players that Conley will be playing alongside this season are significant upgrades from who he played with on the Grizzlies a season ago. That should make him primed for a great season as a passer.
The Grizzlies struggled mightily in their efficiency in spot-up (28th) and on roll man (26th) sequences, which made it more difficult for Conley to create for teammates. Playing for the Jazz will be much simpler when it comes to setting up teammates. He will benefit from an elite play finishing like Rudy Gobert with no shortage of shooters providing floor spacing.
It would be advantageous for Conley to embrace more of a facilitator role with the Jazz. The talent is there for him to produce his single-season career-high in assists per game if he were to embrace this role, which should be his goal.
