Grizzlies trade Conley to Jazz

Associated Press

The Memphis Grizzlies traded away the final piece of the franchise’s best years on Wednesday, sending veteran point guard Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz for a trio of players, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The Grizzlies swapped Conley for forward Jae Crowder, guard/forward Kyle Korver and guard Grayson Allen, said the person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither Memphis nor Utah has announced the trade, which cannot be completed until the new league year starts on July 6.

Conley confirmed the trade on Twitter, thanking Memphis for making him the man he is and being his home.

“Time for another chapter! Excited to give all I have to The Jazz ...!” Conley tweeted.

ESPN.com first reported the deal, which it says also includes Utah’s No. 23 pick overall in Thursday night’s draft.

Conley was the final piece of the core that led the Grizzlies to seven consecutive playoff berths, including the 2013 Western Conference Finals.

The Grizzlies tried to trade Conley before the deadline but couldn’t, with the guard’s pricey contract complicating deals. Conley signed a max contract in July 2016 with $67 million more due over the next two seasons.

He leaves with a handful of franchise records, including most games played (788) over his 12 seasons in Memphis. Conley played 70 games and scored a career-best 21.1 points per game. He was just off his career highs with 6.4 assists per game and averaged 1.3 steals per game.

The Grizzlies are busy rebuilding after drafting Jaren Jackson Jr. with the fourth overall pick last year, and they hold the No. 2 pick overall for Thursday night’s draft, which is likely to be point guard Ja Morant of Murray State as Conley’s replacement. Memphis hired its new coach, Taylor Jenkins, last week with what management called a “significant” and “long-term commitment.”

The Grizzlies hold the No. 2 pick overall, which is likely to be point guard Ja Morant of Murray State as Conley’s replacement.

Memphis took Conley with the fourth pick in the 2007 draft. Conley and former No. 1 pick Greg Oden lost to Florida in the 2007 National Championship in their only season with Ohio State.