Rumor Report: LA Clippers linked to Utah’s Mike Conley

Re-signing Mike Conley was an ostensible mistake for the Utah Jazz.

Unlike in years past, where Conley would spend long stretches on the injury report, Conley was relatively healthy this season. Still, even with Conley suiting up for 72 games, his numbers were underwhelming.

The LA Clippers could be receiving a declining player

During the regular season, Utah reluctantly stomached 13.7 points per game to go along with 5.3 assists but his numbers plummeted in the postseason. Conley dropped only 9.2 points a night on 33.3% from the field. Although there have been grumblings that Utah could look to break up the contentious duo of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, it appears more likely, at least in the opinion of Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, that Conley could be the one that’s shown the door.

Amongst a long list of teams that could be interested is, of course, the LA Clippers. According to Fischer, thanks to Conley’s enormous deal, if the Clippers opt to pursue a trade for the middling guard, they could be forced to add quality big man, Ivica Zubac.

Fischer’s report comes across as somewhat bemusing for this current Clippers franchise. Conley, who’s currently signed through the 2023-24 season, is on the downside of his career. In addition to his declining numbers, LA is strapped for cash, thanks to the gigantic contracts of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

With a fully healthy roster heading into the 2022-23 season, the Clippers could decide to remain pat. However, if Fischer’s report comes to fruition and LA swings for a trade with Conley, their championship window might be closing right before our very eyes.