Gasol: Conley Trade doesn't make sense (Wiretap)

[TheGameWinner]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... ake_sense/

He says that there's a problem elsewhere... I haven't watched the Grizz much, what is going on is there chemistry issues?

[-InFeRnO-]

Griz rape this deal IMO.

Sessions is a stud.

[hptmatthew]

to say that there are "chemistry issues" is kind of like saying "throwing gas on an open flame is dangerous" lol.

"The Three Amigos" (Lowry, Gay, Warrick) is as tight a clique as one could find in an SEC sorority house. And that's bad, because Rudy Gay is acting like a total slack right now, and the three of them are thick as thieves. And none of the three of them ever listen to Iavaroni, who, by the way, is worthless as a head coach.

Marc Gasol and OJ Mayo are the only two on the team who most of us really want to stay around. Yes, even Gay could go away if the return were good.

I love that Gasol had the 'nads to come out and say what he did, though-he has no concern, 'cuz he knows he's earning his money, especially with Darko out (don't laugh-Darko had been playing well until the broken knuckle).

I have a feeling that The Three Amigos, at Kyle's behest, would like to see Conley gone, because Kyle was not real happy (and even admitted that he was puzzled at the time) when the Grizzlies picked Conley-he knew that the future starting job he was counting on was in danger. Speculation, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I would also not be surprised if tomorrow is Iavaroni's last game as head coach of the Grizzlies. I have ZERO reason or source for this opinion, but after reading what the players are saying, it is PAINFULLY obvious that Iavaroni has zero ability to lead and/or control this team anymore.

[dark-child]

I have the exact same feeling regarding Iavaroni that his days are numbered. After reading the players comments Wallace and Heisley can not let things stay the same. His firing may be the only thing that saves Conley as someone new may be given the chance to see if there is any game there. My only question is will they go ahead with the permanent hire or let Oneil have the interim tag?

[Downtown]

I wasn't aware that the "three amigos" as you put it were indeed a clique within the team. If that's true that sort of thing needs to be broken up. There's nothing worse than a small group that sticks to themselves and don't buy into the team concept. If Iavoroni has no control over players such as these he needs to go. Bring in a more stern coach who demands respect and also knows the game and watch that poor chemistry issue turn itself around.

I have to be honest and say that besides Mayo and Gasol I wouldn't blink twice in moving any of the Grizzlies, Rudy Gay included. And it's not his skills I dislike. He is a very talented player. But I see no leadership from him whatsoever. I realize this team is woefully thin in terms of depth but they really need some character guys that are prepared to step up. And if there's a clique within the team then it needs to be dismantled.

hptmatthew, I echo your thoughts. The question is is there the will from the top to do what is neccesary? And dark-child, so far this season the trend has been to appoint one of the assistants as the interim coach so my guess is that yes, O'neil inherits the reigns. I remember his time as the Raptors coach and he wasn't afraid to step on some toes of players. Actually he was kind of an angry character who couldn't control his emotions or his mouth.

[jman3134]

While I really like Lowry and feel that he could develop into a solid player, I feel that there needs to be a more permanent option at PG. Conley is not cutting it right now, and I feel that he should eventually be traded. However, I do not feel as though this deal is the right value. (Mike has yet to reach his potential)

[Downtown]

jman, I like your pictures at the bottom. Michael Dickerson was one of my favorite Grizzlies when he played here in Vancouver.

As for the pointguard situation here's my take. I also feel that they need a big upgrade there. But the bigger question is where do they get it from? When I look at this years draft I see a large number of pointguards that appear to have NBA level abilities. But unlike Derek Rose or OJ Mayo I don't see that "leader" attribute. Perhaps Jeff Teague is displaying it but he also has a solid cast around him. Neither Holiday or Collison are clear cut leaders for UCLA. Jennings is a young man trying to play with grown men and simply make the most of things. Rubio probably shows the most leadership but from a story I read yesterday it looks like it could be another two years before he comes over. Patrick Mills is leading the way for his team, but just like Stephen Curry, it's more a case of the rest of the team not being that great so they're forced to step up and be scorers, which makes it tough to figure if they have those floor leader qualities.

And you know that there's few NBA teams that will trade their #1 pointguard. So where does the right pointguard fit come from? I do know that from being a Sonics fan I watched how the situation where both pointguards wanting to be the clear starter can destroy team chemistry. Earl Watson went public in his displeasure of not playing more. Luke Ridnour sulked when things swung in Watsons favor. It was a big distraction for the team and eventually they had no choice but to trade one of them. It happened in Toronto last year with TJ Ford, who got upset when he lost his starting job to Jose Calderon. They had to trade Ford. It's also happening in Milwaukee with Ridnour and Sessions.

Either Lowry or Conley should be traded but it should be for a clear choice of an upgrade so the guy that's left from the two knows he has no choice but to accept the backup role and be a team player.

Raymond Felton is an interesting pointguard whose name has been mentioned alot in trade talks. I'm not saying he should be the one but I think he should be looked at as an option.

But my first thought? OJ Mayo should be given some games at starting pointguard. There's both your leader and pointguard skills. What is there to lose by giving that a try? Next picture James Harden next to Mayo as the starting backcourt. Just a thought for a different take.

[Downtown]

Or trade Lowry to New Jersey, along with Warrick and get two tougher, experienced players with decent contracts like Keyon Dooling and Edjuardo Najera. That would be going from young and soft to older and tougher. Both of those guys play hardnosed defense and bring some character. A big defensive pointguard might be a better addition rather than two smaller guards.

Trading Warrick would definitely cost Memphis bench scoring but it would toughen up their defense and Memphis needs veteran depth in the worst way. Najera plays both forward positions as a sixth man and shouldn't affect Arthur or Milicic. Dooling plays the defensive pointguard role and gives Conley a clear signal for this season that he's the #1 pointguard. It also takes Gay's two "amigos" away and forces him to step out of his comfort zone.

Just another "out of the box" idea.

[jman3134]

I sort of feel that we could get more value from Warrick and Lowry than Najera and Dooling. In NJ, Najera has not even cracked the rotation yet this year. That's not to say that he could not have a great impact. But rather, his stock is not as high as it has been in year's past. Warrick is definitely proving to be a talented offensive weapon for whoever will give him the chance. I personally would like to keep Lowry and maybe deal Conley to the Blazers for some talent. This would make Oden happy and give them a surefire floor general.

I do like Dooling as a backup point guard and feel that he is one of the best in the league. However, he does make a lot of boneheaded mistakes and does make tick tack fouls despite his hard pressure defense. I would like him as an option, but I'd rather have Lowry and then possibly Ricky Rubio as the starting point.

I have been saying this all along- namely that I want Rubio on our team. He brings back the international base and has experience alongside Gasol. He is a marketable player, unlike a Rudy Gay. Further, he does all the little things that help his team win. He's young and talented and I believe that he could be one of those can't miss type of prospects. But yeah, most of the posters here already are aware of my take on that.

We need to start building as Portland has- developing a nice young team with parts that could get us to the playoffs in a couple of years. Mayo, Gay and Lowry are nice starts.

[tisbee]

In the extremely unlikely event Portland would trade w/you ...
Gay,Conley for Batum,Outlaw,Rodriguez and the 09 First.

Batum has the potential to be a very good complemetary player. He wants to defend,rebounds,runs,has a decent 3pt shot that will prob get better,in Europe was a very good playmaker and doesn't feel the need to score big. A perfect partner for Mayo.
Outlaw is a solid shooter who can give you the time to develope Batum,can play the 3 or 4 and has a modest salary.
Sergio gives you a backup for the rest of the yr,and someone you can trade,or include in a package,or even keep as a backup PG.
(If you think Mayo and Gay can develope chemistry,obviously you don't do this,but if you think they will never mesh... You're basically trading Gay's present for Batum's future.)

To step further outside the box,this coming summer offer at least MLE-type money to Utah's Price. He has kept Utah afloat w/Williams being out and looks like he might be ready for his own team. Get him and you could then trade Lowry to a PG-hungry team for a First if you wanted.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

No thank you.