Mike Conley (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA free agency landscape has cleared up after two blockbuster trades fell just hours apart.
Two of the point guard hunters have taken their prey and most of the pieces are likely to fall into place after that.
The New York Knicks have acquired Derrick Rose in a trade. The Knicks interest was rumored a few days ago by Marc Stein and Chad Ford of ESPN although there were different sources, like Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders who reiterated that Rose would be available. Kyler mentioned that the Bulls were already looking at point guards in the draft, specifically Wade Baldwin of Vanderbilt. The rumors came together and turned into reality.
Prior to that trade, the Indiana Pacers acquired Jeff Teague in a three team deal with the Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz. The Pacers sent George Hill to the Jazz while the Hawks will take the 12th overall pick from Utah. The Jazz isn't interested in drafting another young player and neither is the Hawks who might also trade away its two first round picks (12 and 21).
The suitors for Mike Conley have dwindled, as the Pacers and Knicks have been eliminated. Both teams would have been great fits for him as the Knicks have really singled him out as their target and the Pacers, because he is an Indiana native. Now, those team have their point guards.
This means there are better chances for those who remain in the hunt-specifically, the San Antonio Spurs. They are not alone, as Tim McMahon of ESPN stated.
"A source said the Spurs and Mavericks are among the other teams that would interest Conley, who intends to explore his options in free agency. The Spurs would have to answer questions about how Conley would fit with Tony Parker, according to the source, who said that Conley has great respect for Dallas coach Rick Carlisle," McMahon stated.
While it seems like the Spurs have more work to do, Conley wants to transfer to a team that can contend. Dallas is not such a big improvement from the Grizzlies and they still have to address their big man of the future. Dirk Nowitzki is a free agent and will probably stay but he may have just one or two good years, unlike in Memphis with Marc Gasol and the Spurs with LaMarcus Aldridge.
The promise of the Spurs' future may be too much for Conley to ignore. Conley has worked hard for the Memphis but has hardly been recognized-he has yet to become an All-Star in his entire career. With San Antonio, his presence could make them instant contenders.
