Kevin Durant dives for the lose ball against Mike Conley. (Photo : Getty Images/Andy Lyons)
The Memphis Grizzlies could make a run at signing OKC Thunder superstar Kevin Durant this summer after Mike Conley challenged the team to make some serious offseason moves.
Grizzlies and Conley are at the center of free agency drama after the 28-year-old PG officially announced his intentions to explore the market this summer. Conley, who is on the final term of his five-year $40 million pact with Memphis, has put pressure to the Grizzlies to make some splashy moves and sign top talented free agents like Durant.
Conley: "It's no secret. Everybody's wondering if we can bring together the right guys in the offseason."
— Peter Edmiston (@peteredmiston) April 25, 2016
Conley: "They have enough money to go out and find somebody, but will we be able to attract this person or that person?" — Peter Edmiston (@peteredmiston) April 25, 2016
Conley: "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."
— Peter Edmiston (@peteredmiston) April 25, 2016
Asked what free agent he would like the Grizzlies to bring in this summer, Conley laughs and says "Kevin Durant." — Kevin Lipe (@FlyerGrizBlog) April 25, 2016
Surprisingly, the Grizzlies may have enough cap space to sign Durant to a max deal, with the team projected to have a maximum cap room of $38 million, according to RealGM. The remaining amount could be used to sign Conley to a respectable deal, but Memphis could fall short in retaining quality role players that could help the team into title contention.
Nevertheless, Durant is a game changer and would certainly boost a team's chance to contend for an NBA title, especially the Grizzlies, who have an All-Star center in Marc Gasol and a scoring big man in Zach Randolph.
But if the team fails to lure Durant to come and play in Memphis, Harrison Barnes could be an intriguing option for the Grizzlies as suggested by Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report. The only problem of pursuing Barnes is his status heading into free agency.
Barnes, who failed to reach an extension with the Golden State Warriors this season, is set to become an unrestricted free agent, which means the defending champs have the chance to match any offer given to the 23-year-old.
But it would be tricky for the Warriors to keep Barnes, with the team only expected to have a max of $10.9 million for the summer market. Barnes would probably look for a max contract in free agency and contemplate to join a team where he could be a star, which could be the perfect chance for the Grizzlies to lure the talented wing.
Durant does not seem to have the Grizzlies among his rumored choices in the summer. Moreover, Memphis do not have much assets to attract free agents, especially with the team coming off a dismal postseason campaign. But if Conley decides to stay with the Grizzlies, there is a chance top free agents consider Memphis as their landing spot.
