Report: Mike Conley will not exercise early termination on contract with Jazz

Utah Jazz G Mike Conley will not exercise the early termination clause in his contract and will remain with the team for the 2020-21 season, per Yahoo Sports’ Chris B. Haynes. Conley’s contract in the final year is worth $34.5 million. The veteran guard had signed a five-year, $153 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2016. He was dealt to the Jazz prior to last season.

It was an up-and-down campaign in Conley’s first season with the Jazz. He dealt with a hamstring injury that held him to just 47 games during the regular season. After starting 41 games, Conley did come off the bench for six games. It’s unclear what Conley’s future is in Utah; the Jazz could opt to try and trade Conley as an expiring contract to clear cap space to make a big move this offseason or next.

The problem with attempting to trade Conley is his contract is bloated and he isn’t the same player from a few seasons ago on Memphis. Conley’s defense has diminished as a result of the hamstring injuries. Perhaps some time off will help Conley get 100 percent, but the season is starting back up again very quickly. Conley makes sense on a team with cap space that is looking to get involved in free agency next season. Those teams are few and far between, but they’re out there. Conley also isn’t a bad reclamation project for a team looking to add another piece. The only real team that comes to mind is the Miami Heat, but they don’t seem like they need to take a risk on Conley.