Grizzlies keep PG Conley past deadline

Memphis Grizzlies kept guard Mike Conley through Thursday's trade deadline. According to ESPN, the Grizzlies reportedly explored deals with several teams but ultimately chose to hang on to the 31-year-old Conley, who is in his 12th season with Memphis and is the franchise's all-time leader in games, assists, 3-point field goals and steals. The team values him as a mentor for rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., and Conley was not eager to be dealt, a separate ESPN report added.

The Utah Jazz appeared to be frontrunners in a deal for Conley, but according to a New York Times report earlier this week the 6-foot-1 veteran expressed reluctance to go to Utah, while an ESPN report added that he "prefers the Eastern Conference." Last month, teammate Marc Gasol -- who was reportedly traded Thursday to the Toronto Raptors -- expressed frustration that Conley was on the trading block.

"I don't understand why Mike is in those talks," Gasol told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "Mike is one heck of a player, and we're going to need good players moving forward. I don't understand why Mike is in this." Conley -- who has missed just two games this season for Memphis -- is averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 33.8 minutes per game. He is owed $67 million over the next two seasons, including an early termination option in 2020-21, and is expected to draw interest as a trade target after the season.

--Field Level Media