Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley Jr. (Photo : Getty Images)
After their current 0-4 start to the 2015-2016 season, one thing is obviously needed by former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins and the Brooklyn Nets: an elite level point guard. The need is so evident that a lot of NBA rumors regarding Hollins' interest in bidding for his former ward, Mike Conley Jr., during next summer's free agency period had recently surfaced.
Conley is in the final year of his five-year, $40 million contract with the Grizzlies, the team where he spent all of his eight professional seasons with since he got drafted fourth overall in 2007, which will make him an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2016 and thus open to Brooklyn's possible recruitment.
Hollins was Conley's coach during his formative years in Memphis from 2009 to 2013 and the two is widely known to have created a special bond between them, even causing the former Ohio State standout to say that "he (Hollins) was like a second father figure almost for me," as per Fansided.
ESPN indicated that "Conley is basically everything the Nets need - which is why they seem like a virtual lock to pursue the 28-year-old point guard when he becomes an unrestricted free agent over the summer."
However, the report also noted that even though the rumor "makes too much sense", it is still highly unlikely that it will happen.
For one, Conley has to sacrifice his chance for more money and a longer contract with the Grizzlies if he decides to leave the team for another one. Another factor is his close relationship with teammate Marc Gasol, who had just signed a five-year max deal with Memphis.
In spite of these presumptions, it would still be a good move for Hollins to try and bid for his "son" Conley come next year's free agency period as the old adage says, "With great risks come with great rewards."
