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Miami Heat: 5 intriguing trade ideas for Mike Conley and/or Marc Gasol

By Trey Flynn

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 7: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies and Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies speak during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 7, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 7: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies and Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies speak during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 7, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Miami Heat guards Rodney McGrudder, left, and Goran Dragic chat during a time out against the Orlando Magic on December 4, 2018, at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Heat guards Rodney McGrudder, left, and Goran Dragic chat during a time out against the Orlando Magic on December 4, 2018, at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /

Trade no. 3

In this trade idea, the Miami Heat send All-Star Goran Dragic, Wayne Ellington, and a 2023 unprotected first round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for Mike Conley.

At face value, this deal looks odd because Miami is giving up this much for a player that has fewer accolades than Goran Dragic, but unfortunately for Conley, he has been playing at a similar production rate as Dragic for the entirety of his career but in the Western Conference.

In fact, if Conley and Dragic would have been in the Eastern Conference in their prime, I could see both players having 2-4 All-Star appearances, which doesn’t seem fair for the hard-working point guards. Albeit, Conley is having a better season than Dragic, even when “The Dragon” was healthy, therefore I can see a deal being made that gives up more than they receive for Miami.

Conley could help Miami win right now and Dragic could help a solid foundation in Memphis for the next year, however, there is a possibility that Dragic would opt out this summer and try and go elsewhere on a winning team (think Dallas Mavericks in 2019-20). Therefore, Memphis could save serious money with this move (paying Conley $31 million over the next few seasons).

Ultimately, this deal gives Memphis everything they have asked for in cap relief and a draft pick, except they don’t get their young asset (which could come in the form of the pick).

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