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New York Knicks: Glue Guys Who Can Be Found In Free Agency

By Maxwell Ogden

Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) reacts to a play against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) reacts to a play against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) celebrates against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated Sacramento Kings 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) celebrates against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated Sacramento Kings 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Conley, Unrestricted Free Agent

Position: Point Guard
Age: 28 (10/11/1987)
Slash Line: .422/.363/.834
Season Averages: 31.4 MPG, 15.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.4 3PM

It’s hard to call a player who could make an average of $20-plus million a glue guy. The reality is, Mike Conley has earned his reputation as one of the better point guards in the NBA by being the glue to the Memphis Grizzlies’ team-wide success.

For the New York Knicks, there are few star free agents better to target than Conley.

Conley’s true value was revealed in 2015-16, when the Grizzlies recorded a net rating of +1.6 with him on the court and -6.4 without him. That’s a massive difference of 8.0 points per game that displayed just how valuable he can be to a postseason team.

The playoffs have become a second home for Conley, who started at point guard as the Grizzlies made six consecutive postseason appearances between 2011 and 2016.

Memphis won 46 games in 2010-11, went 41-25 in 2011-12, and won 56 games and reached the Western Conference Finals in 2012-13. It then went 50-32 under a new head coach in 2013-14, 55-27 in 2014-15, and 33-23 with Conley and 9-17 without him in 2015-16.

Conley is a star-caliber point guard, but if he’s brought in to be the No. 3 player behind Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, he can be the glue to the Knicks’ championship aspirations.

Next: Raw Tenacity

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