Utah Jazz Guard Mike Conley Discusses Upcoming Free Agency
Jun 19, 2021, 12:31 PM | Updated: Dec 8, 2022, 10:52 am
Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a free throw during an opening night game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jazz guard Mike Conley discussed his upcoming free agency after Utah was eliminated from the postseason by the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Semifinals.
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The Clippers advanced by defeating the Jazz, 4-2, on Friday, June 18.
A day later, Conley spoke about his upcoming free agency during Utah’s locker room clean-out and end of season interviews.
During his time with the media, the veteran guard said he’d have to discuss free agency with his family and make the decision from there.
“I used to tell the guys all season man, you know, cherish these moments as teammates,” Conley said. “The ride that we were on, you don’t get to experience that every year and we may never be together as a unit ever again, that same team. So we try to live by that and tried to try to stay in the moment throughout the year and even now. So it’s gonna be tough and I’m sure we’re all gonna have to kind of reflect on and when the time comes.”
Mike Conley was non-committal on the Jazz in free-agency.
Said he will have to sit down with his family to make the best decision for himself and for them. #Takenote | @KSLSports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 19, 2021
Mike Conley with the Utah Jazz
The Jazz first acquired Conley via a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA offseason.
Conley played the first 12 seasons of his career in Memphis.
Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley Jr. are already building that teammate chemistry 🏀
(via @ChrisJHoops, @swishcultures_) pic.twitter.com/RJjHBu8bff
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 25, 2019
After an up-and-down start to the 2019-20 season, Conley found his fit with the Jazz inside the league’s bubble to close the regular season and into the playoffs.
Despite losing to the Denver Nuggets in the first round, Conley played well in the bubble and it jumpstarted his second season with Utah.
During his second season with the Jazz, Conley played some of the best basketball of his career. He played so well that he was named an NBA All-Star for the first time.
wake up glad mike conley is on your team.
go to sleep glad mike conley is on your team. pic.twitter.com/N06jEedYGA— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 1, 2021
Although he was limited to 51 games during the regular season, Conley helped the Jazz earn the No. 1 overall seed in the postseason with the league’s best record.
Unfortunately for the Jazz and the guard himself, Conley suffered a hamstring injury in the first round and failed to play in the West Semifinals until Utah’s Game 6 elimination loss to Los Angeles.
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 19, 2021
With the 4-2 series loss, Conley and Utah’s dream of a championship came to a abrupt end.
Mike Conley on his priorities as his career begins to wind down and with a full family at home.
"Number one I want to win a championship."#takenote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 19, 2021
During his two seasons with the Jazz, Conley averaged 15.3 points per game on 42.8 percent shooting, including 39.6 percent from beyond the arc. He also added 3.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest.
Conley made over $34.5 million during the 2020-21 season. He will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and will be allowed to sign with any team.
