4. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies (Unrestricted)
When you talk about conflicting feelings when it comes to NBA free agents, it’s instances like looking at a player like Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley through the eyes of the Lakers that really define it. Obviously the Lakers are in need of high-end talent to really get back to former glory and expedite the rebuilding process and Conley is a player that has proven he can be a two-way commodity to really aid them in doing just that.
At the same time, though, one of the greatest assets that the Lakers already have is point guard D’Angelo Russell. Unfortunately when it comes to Conley, that happens to be the same position that the Grizzlies point guard plays. In essence, signing Conley if you’re the Lakers would mean giving up on Russell after just one season of him playing in LA and not being willing to take a risk on watching him develop further as his career progresses.
Given the difficult decision involved with all of this and Conley, you’d have to imagine that Conley really isn’t a viable option for the Lakers this summer. Though he’s clearly one of the best players on the open market, he won’t be residing in LA next season.
Next: No. 3 Drummond