Dallas Mavericks: 4 backcourt free agents for the Mavs

Mike Conley, PG

Age: 33

Previous Team: Utah Jazz

Key Stats: 16.2 PPG, 6 APG, 1.4 STLPG, 41.2% 3P, 85.2% FT

Mike Conley’s start to his tenure in Utah was very inauspicious. He couldn’t buy a bucket and he struggled finding his place as a playmaker alongside Donovan Mitchell. Statistically, he ended the 2019 season fine, but it didn’t help that the Utah Jazz blew a 3-1 lead in the first round of the playoffs.

Last season was noticeably different. Another season in Quin Snyder’s equal opportunity offense and Conley had a very respectable season displaying excellent three point efficiency and his usual defensive prowess. A case could always be made as to whether Conley plays up to his contract, but he was a big reason why the Utah Jazz ended the season with number one seed.

Now age 33, he seems set on taking his talents elsewhere in order to compete for a championship. Much like DeRozan, paying someone top dollar after their athletic prime usually isn’t a smart decision, but Conley isn’t coming into the season recovering from an injury and when he was on the court the team was +17 with him. (The Mavericks were +3.3 with Doncic on the court for context)

Conley doesn’t have the volume scoring numbers of others on this list, but he is consistently one of the more efficient players from all areas of the floor. He could give the Mavericks a legitimate secondary ball-handler/scorer and would significantly ease the load on Doncic without having to feel handcuffed to guards like Trey Burke, Jalen Brunson, and Josh Richardson.

In all, Mike Conley would improve the Mavericks despite age and if the team wanted to sign him, they’d have to copy what they do with DeRozan to make contracts work. Don’t overthink it.