The Grizzlies’ season was dealt a crushing blow with the news that Marc Gasol would miss the rest of the campaign after undergoing surgery to repair his broken right foot this past Saturday. In addition to potentially derailing any realistic notion the team had about competing for an NBA title in 2015/16, the injury to Gasol could also spell the end of point guard Mike Conley‘s tenure in Memphis.
Conley is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and any potential long term impact to Gasol’s health and productivity could nudge the point guard toward another franchise come July. While the Grizzlies remain publicly optimistic that Gasol will make a full recovery and be ready for the start of the 2016/17 season, a physical therapist who is well-versed in the recovery process the big man will undergo told Peter Edmiston of The Commercial Appeal that there is less than a 10% chance that the Spaniard will return to his pre-injury form. Only time will tell if Gasol will be the player we are used to seeing when he makes his way back, but this offseason will likely be Conley’s last chance at a significant long-term payday. He may decide that risking his last remaining peak seasons on the durability of Gasol’s right foot isn’t the smart play and bolt for what he perceives to be greener pastures.
That brings me to the question/topic for today: What impact, if any, will Marc Gasol’s injury have on Mike Conley’s upcoming free agency?
Take to the comments section to share your thoughts, predictions and potential doomsday scenarios for what Gasol’s injury potentially does to the Grizzlies’ chances of retaining Conley. We look forward to what you have to say.
Will give Conley more incentive to leave. Foot injuries for big men can be a long-term issue and Gasol’s 31.
There was speculation this summer when Gasol resigned with the Grizzlies, that he and Conley made a pact to both stay. Both Conley and Gasol deny making such a pact, yet it’s clear that Conley wanted Gasol to stay with him. I believe that if Gasol were fully healthy they would make a nice push into the playoffs and Conley would stick around in Memphis for at least four more years. I believe Gasol’s foot I I jury will affect is ability on a long term basis and it will likely greatly influence Conley’s decisions this summer. His skills are in high demand this summer and at this stage in his career it’s understandable that he wants to win. If the right team makes the right offer, which is highly likely, Conley will most likely jump ship before the 2016/2017 campaign.
I certainly think it’ll play a role. Conley, most assuredly, wants to win, and it’s tougher to feel confident about his chances to do so in Memphis with Gasol having suffered a major injury. The team seems confident Gasol will come back 100%, but that’s not a given.
Personally I think this plays a minor role in whether Conley will stay or leave. Conley clearly wanted to play with Gasol, so it would take a lot in my mind for him to leave(too much money to turn down) The Grizzlies could be a top 3 team in the West if they can build around Conley and Gasol. Zbo is in his last years but still can be a double double guy off the bench, if Grizzlies can get Conley back next year, and sign a big name in FA, i think they can contend for a championship! Ryan Anderson or Pau would be huge gets.
Good news for NYK. It will be s big payday for Conley, who deserves it, especially when you add in endorsements in the worlds media Capitol. All promises are worth the paper they are printed on as LaMarcus showed last year.
Other possible big payday is Philly, but much riskier in terms of competitiveness. Personal interest should and will win out.
Its very likely the Orlando Magic will also make a run at him. They now have capacity for two max contracts plus a very solid young core…. and no state tax