The Indiana Pacers could be looking at adding another talented point guard this summer, with Mike Conley heading to free agency.
The Pacers, despite reaching deep into the playoffs, are probably rebuilding for the next season signaled by the departure of Frank Vogel. One of the positions the Pacers need to address is the PG spot, with Conley appearing as the ideal acquisition for Indiana, according to William Furr of Fansided.
"Mike Conley would seem to be what Larry Bird is looking for in a point guard. He is a fast, slick-passing, true point guard who can penetrate and dish with the best of them," Furr wrote.
Conley has been a key cog in the Memphis Grizzlies' consistent playoff appearances in the past seasons. Before suffering a mysterious Achilles injury in the regular season, Conley 15.3 points and 6.1 assists per game for the Grizzlies.
Acquiring Conley would give the Pacers another two-way player at the point guard position, creating a dynamic duo with the team's superstar Paul George. Conley would likely put George Hill to the bench as the needed spark in the second unit, while Monta Ellis plays his natural position as combo guard.
Conley, who is set to finish his five-year $40 million pact with the Grizzlies in July, is expected to command a max contract from teams in the summer market. The Pacers would have enough money to spend on Conley, with the team projected to have a max cap space of $30.1 million to pursue free agents.
However, the only downside for signing Conley is the possibility of losing enough money to retain key free agents like Ian Mahinmi and Jordan Hill, who are soon-to-be unrestricted free agents. Solomon Hill, Chase Budinger, Toney Douglas and Ty Lawson are also among the Pacers players set to hit the market.
With George still signed up for two more seasons, the Pacers have a solid piece to rebuild on. But as what has been evident in the past few years, the franchise needs another star to run the team and Conley could be the top candidate the Pacers are considering.