The Memphis Grizzlies are down in their playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs 1-0 and it would actually surprise a lot of people if they even won a single game. It is impressive that the Grizzlies even made the playoffs considering they have been without their two best players for an extended period of time - but their run is likely coming to an end.
This will be a big offseason for Memphis as their roster is starting to get pretty old and their starting point guard will become an unrestricted free agent. Mike Conley said that everything is on the table when it comes to his free agency, but the expectation all along has been that he will stay with the Grizzlies.
Well, that may not be the case anymore as there is a report circulating that people around the league expect Conley to leave the Grizzlies this summer. The report was about coaching changes and how Dave Joerger could be on the hot seat because of the team's depleted roster, but there was a nugget about how Conley is expected to leave just kind of thrown in there.
This is surprising for a couple of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that this has not been reported by anyone previously. On top of that, it has been the expectation all along that Conley would go on his free agent visits, but the Grizzlies would remain the heavy favorites to retain him. Now it seems like all of that could be out the window.
While this report is surprising, it would actually be a wise decision for Conley to move on from Memphis. As mentioned before, their roster is aging and, although Conley is tight with Marc Gasol, Gasol is coming off a major foot injury that is not easy for big men to come back from. The future in Memphis isn't exactly all that bright and Conley will have plenty of suitors on the free agent market who will be offering him a max contract.
Of course, if Conley leaves, he won't be able to make as much money on the free agent market, but it will likely give him a better chance to win. The Grizzlies, obviously, can't be ruled out of the sweepstakes to sign Conley, but the more you think about it, the more sense it makes for the 28-year-old point guard to find a new home.
