Mike Conley and Dave Joerger (Photo : Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings could lure Mike Conley into Sactown following the appointment of Dave Joerger as the team's next head coach.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that Joerger agreed in principle to become the Kings' next head coach on a three-year $12 million contract. Joerger, who was fired from his coaching job with the Memphis Grizzlies, could be a factor in recruiting Conley this summer, with the Kings possibly looking for a star point guard to pair with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins.
In three seasons of his coaching job in Memphis, Joerger has learned how to utilize Conley well in pick-and-roll situations and letting the 28-year-old dictate the grit-and-grind schemes the Grizzlies are known for. It was also in the past three years playing under Joerger that Conley boosted his player value, averaging a combined total of 16.1 points and 5.8 assists per game, while shooting 43.9 from the field.
It is still undetermined whether Joerger would make an impact in Conley's decision in July, but there is a strong sense would either stay with the Grizzlies to play alongside his close friend Marc Gasol, or play for someone like Joerger who has already a background of using the All-Star point guard.
But there is another person more familiar with Conley's skills and has strong relationship with the eight-year NBA veteran, and the Grizzlies could be considering that person to be their next head coach.
According to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal, there were indications that the Grizzlies could be look at hiring Lionel Hollins once again following his meeting with general manager Chris Wallace on Monday.
"Hollins and Wallace worked together for nearly five seasons and would be a popular hire as he has maintained a strong relationship with the core four players (Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol)," Tillery wrote.
Conley has indicated that money would not be much of a factor in his decision this summer, although he admitted he will consider it in free agency. If that would be the case, the Grizzlies hiring Hollins would not be much of a factor to retain Conley back in Memphis, which could bode well for the Kings if they really intend to pursue Conley in free agency.
Sacramento will have a projected max salary cap space of $25.5 million this summer, enough to offer Conley a max contract. With much of the Kings' core roster intact for the next season, there would not be any problem for Sacramento to focus on bringing another star to complement Boogie.
