Utah Jazz Looking to Bring Back Mike Conley

The Utah Jazz had one of their best regular seasons as a franchise last season, and they’re looking to keep the core together to make another run next season.

One of their core pieces, veteran guard Mike Conley, is set to hit free agency this summer, but according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the expectation around the League is that Conley will stay in Utah.

“League executives believe Conley is most likely to stay in Utah,” Windhorst wrote. “With the Jazz investigating the possibility of reducing payroll to make room next to Donovan Mitchell’s new max contract coming onto the books.”

This should ease the nerves of many Jazz fans as Conley had been reported to have many teams interested and pursuing him this summer. In the same article, Windhorst reports that the Dallas Mavericks also have a high-interest level in Conley as well as Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry and Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul.

Conley will be 34-years-old next season, so some question how long he can remain effective in the NBA. Despite his age, Conley is coming off a strong 2020-21 season for the Jazz averaging 16.2 points and 6.0 assists per game while shooting a career-high 41.2 percent from three.

NBA free agency begins next week on Monday, Aug. 2, following the NBA Draft this Thursday.