LA Clippers trade target No. 2: Mike Conley
If adding Russell is an attempt to improve now and moving forward, trading for a player like Mike Conley is a way to push the chips in for this season. The former Memphis and current Utah Jazz point guard is 35 years old — hardly a spring chicken — especially as a small point guard.
That being said, he’s also having an excellent season for the plucky Jazz. He has been the glue that has held the Jazz offense together, directing the orchestra of talented offensive shooters and cutters. He is averaging a career-high 7.8 assists, showing off a side of his game that hasn’t been much used over the years.
He is also a much better shooter than John Wall or Reggie Jackson, hitting 38.9 percent of his 3-pointers after hitting better than 40 percent each of the past two seasons. His shot is easy for Conley to get off and he has developed an off-the-dribble pull-up shot alongside a spot-up jumper that will play well alongside Kawhi and PG.
Defensively, Conley is not where he used to be on the Grit N’ Grind Grizzlies, but he is still incredibly intelligent and generates a good amount of steals. EPM has him as a positive on both ends of the court, and his assist percentage in particular is in the 97th percentile league-wide. If the Jazz are selling, the Clippers should strongly consider buying.