Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley denied a report Thursday morning in Oklahoma City indicating that he did not want to be traded to the Utah Jazz.
The longtime Grizzlies player has been the subject of rampant trade speculation recently as the organization discusses potential offers for Conley and Marc Gasol but said after shootaround Thursday morning that he would play anywhere.
Once Conley appeared in trade rumors, a report surfaced that indicated Conley did not want to play for the Jazz and that the 12-year veteran wanted to be traded to the Eastern Conference, something he claims is not true, as captured by Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com.
“I never said that so when I saw it on the internet, I just let it go,” Conley said Thursday at shootaround. “There is no reason for me to get in between that stuff. I’ll play anywhere. I’ve never run from a conference or any particular place or anything like that.”
While the team is apparently searching for the right deal involving Conley, the organization is also reportedly close to trading to Gasol as the 11-year player did not travel with the team to Oklahoma City.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Thursday morning that the Grizzlies and the Charlotte Hornets are still working through details of a trade centered around Gasol as the two teams continued discussions Thursday.
With just a few hours remaining until the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, the Grizzlies could be shorthanded Thursday night against the Thunder if they can strike a deal for Conley and/or Gasol.
The Thunder are 14-point favorites against the Grizzlies.
