Mike Conley Comments on Free Agency, Future with Grizzlies

With his 2015-16 season officially over, Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley Jr. is pondering whether his future lies in Memphis or elsewhere this offseason. 

Conley is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and while the Grizzlies eventually re-signed big man Marc Gasol last year, keeping their floor general won't be easy. According to Peter Edmiston of Sports 56 WHBQ, Conley is looking for the team to put its money where its mouth is:

The 28-year-old explained his position, per Edmiston's Twitter account:

"

It's no secret. Everybody's wondering if we can bring together the right guys in the offseason. They have enough money to go out and find somebody, but will we be able to attract this person or that person? That's going to be one of the deciding factors, if I believe they're going to (sign guys) or if they do it right off the bat.

[...]

I wouldn't want to delay (while waiting for others to sign with the team), but if I can get any kind of assurances earlier rather than later, it would help.

"

He joked he already has one name in mind, per Kevin Lipe of the Memphis Flyer:

Conley clarified his preference is staying with his current team, per Geoff Calkins of the Commercial Appeal:

This year's free-agent class doesn't boast a ton of depth, especially at point guard. Conley, who averaged 15.3 points and 6.1 assists per game, is the best available player at his position. Jordan Clarkson and Rajon Rondo are the only other viable starting PGs on the market, and Clarkson, a restricted free agent, is all but guaranteed to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.

While the Grizzlies can offer Conley more money than any other team, he won't be lacking in other, potentially more promising options. Much like the case with Gasol a year ago, his departure would leave the team reeling.

He's smart to use that leverage to attempt to force Memphis' hand in terms of spending. In addition to the salary cap rising this summer, the Grizzlies will have a little over $8.5 million coming off the books with the departures of Chris Andersen and Matt Barnes, per Spotrac. Lance Stephenson also has a $9.4 million club option the team can choose not to exercise.

The bigger issue is whether Memphis can attract the caliber of free agent who would entice Conley to stay. The team generally hasn't experienced much success in free agency, with Conley, Gasol, Stephenson and Zach Randolph all arriving via the draft or trades.

The Grizzlies could throw a lot of money at Harrison Barnes or Nicolas Batum, but should they strike out with those two players, the next crop of possible options—such as J.R. Smith, Kent Bazemore, Evan Turner and Evan Fournier—isn't all that attractive for Memphis.

If they can retain Conley, the Grizzlies should be a playoff contender in 2016-17. It's doubtful, though, they can count on an additional one or two marquee free agents arriving to get them much closer to winning an NBA title.