The Los Angeles Clippers have their eyes set on one of the notable veteran guards in the league.
Per league insider Marc Stein, the Clippers have expressed their interest in possibly trading for Mike Conley Jr. in light of the Utah Jazz being considered as a “much-needed seller” ahead of the trade deadline.
John Wall set to be out for the next two weeks due to abdominal injury can only intensify the Clippers’ desire to have an additional ball-handling unit to tap, as their record has worsened to 23-22 due to that zigzagging progress they’re completing. From the previous games, coach Ty Lue opted to elect Terance Mann to start at the point amid role and natural position mismatch, as Reggie Jackson meanwhile found himself leading the team’s second unit.
Having Conley Jr. may perhaps do some wonders. The veteran guard is a proven, pure facilitator and floor general who got a good rich of experience upon his lengthy league tenure which can help the team to go deeper in contention.
Unfortunately, in his 16th year this season, Conley Jr.’s nightly production on the offensive end has dipped. He is averaging the lowest points (10.2) he has in his career since his rookie year (9.4) while draining a career-low 38 percent shooting from the field. Furthermore, his injury tendencies could further worsen the team’s condition regarding health and unavailability.
Amid the decrease in these numbers, Conley is still salivating in his assignment of steering the Jazz team with his playmaking, averaging a career-best 7.5 assists in 34 games so far.
Conley still has one season left following this year, and taking a gamble for him might be a high-risk-high reward for L.A. As such, it is difficult to imagine the Jazz giving up their focal playmaker to their playoff-seeding opponent unless a good return comes in from Clipperland.
