NBA rumors are swirling that Mike Conley has a very high interest in signing with the Brooklyn Nets when he becomes a highly coveted free agent this summer, according to ESPN. Apparently, the Memphis Grizzlies guard is interested in being near the Big Apple, as earlier reports had Conley linked to joining Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis on the New York Knicks organization.
Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov understands that he needs to press the reset button with his franchise, as they really have no chance at winning the NBA Championship that he promised the fan base when he bought the team a couple of years back. The Nets have made the NBA Playoffs the last three season, but very few people, including those within the organization itself, felt that they had a chance at going all the way.
In addition to needing a new head coach and general manager, Mikhail Prokhorov wants to find a new top star to pair with Brook Lopez, who happens to be one of the best centers in the NBA. Mike Conley is used to sharing the top billing for a franchise, as he and Marc Gasol, another top center in the National Basketball Association, were billed as the top two stars for the Memphis Grizzlies.
In addition to playing with Brook Lopez, Mike Conley would also have a very good forward in Thaddeus Young, one of the more reliable players for the Brooklyn Nets. The 6’8″, 220 pound veteran does a little bit of everything. Young can stretch the floor for Conley with his outside shooting. On defense, Thaddeus can cover Mike if he gets burnt by his opponent because he is committed to playing defense and rebounding.
The Brooklyn Nets are hoping that Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is completely healthy next year because they really want to see what their athletic freak can really do in the NBA. Though not much of an outside shooter, Hollis Jefferson can prove to be valuable to Mike Conley because the former Arizona Wildcats star loves to cut to the basket in the half court offense and can explosively finish at the basket during fast breaks.
While the Brooklyn Nets don’t have a stacked roster like some of the top teams in the NBA, they do have some promising young players who were given time to develop this season. Markel Brown and Chris McCullough might never become superstars in the National Basketball Association, but they are proving that they can be reliable role players once the Nets actually do pick up some stars.
The Brooklyn Nets are going to have a little bit of money to work with this summer when free agency begins. Joe Johnson and his $24.9 contract is in the final year, and the veteran guard is more than likely going to be joining a team that can contend for the NBA Championship right away. it might even happen before the trade deadline later on this month. The Nets can also clear up another $6.3 million if they decline the team option on Jarrett Jack, their injured point guard.
Of course, all this could just be a pipe dream for the Brooklyn Nets. Mike Conley has a very attractive option with the New York Knicks, especially if Phil Jackson can secure a great head coach for the team. The roster already has a budding superstar in Kristaps Porzingis and All Star forward Carmelo Anthony. New York also has a solid supporting cast with Langston Galloway, Aaron Afflalo, Lance Thomas, Derrick Williams and Robin Lopez as well.
[Featured Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]