Mike Conley (Photo : Ezra Shaw | Getty Images Sport)
The recent coaching carousel is bound to influence the free agents in their decision making. The latest casualty is the Memphis Grizzlies' Dave Joerger.
After Frank Vogel parted ways with the Indiana Pacers after his contract lapsed and the Pacers declined to renew, Joerger has now been fired after three seasons. The Grizzlies' GM Chris Wallace hinted at Joerger's lack of commitment and it is rumored that he has been looking around the other vacancies in the league, as implied in this post by Sam Amick of USA Today.
Amick mentioned that Joerger was already frustrated with the Memphis front office and that he had a "wandering eye." Amick said that Joerger almost left in 2014 to take the vacant Minnesota Timberwolves job. Now, he has a different target.
"This time, despite the Grizzlies finishing with a 42-40 record that was so impressive after their relentless run of injuries, it's the Kings job that Joerger covets," Amick wrote.
Now, the big question is how Joerger's firing will affect their players, specifically the free agents who can choose to leave. Memphis has probably the best point guard in the free agent market in Mike Conley and with multiple teams coveting him, it won't be an easy task. ESPN Insider had their experts weigh in.
Kevin Arnovitz called the chances to re-sign Conley at 45 percent and this development definitely contributed to the diminishing number. "A year ago, the answer might have been 75, but it wouldn't be unreasonable for Conley to appraise the Grizzlies and conclude that there might be calmer waters elsewhere with a team that has a more certain trajectory and cast of characters," Arnovitz concluded.
Amin Elhassan nearly echoed Arnovitz number at 50 percent. They both mention that it's a debate between familiarity and continuity over the higher probability of winning with another team. But for the Grizzlies, re-signing Conely is imperative.
"If you're Memphis, though, without a doubt, Conley must be retained, no matter the cost," Elhassan said.
David Thorpe also placed the probability at 50/50 and Memphis needs to show him a clear direction to take. "As for Conley, he'll need to hear a vision for Memphis that makes sense to him, as he'll have nice options elsewhere," Thorpe warned.
