I think we end up rolling with Mike at this point... which is fine. If we were desperate maybe Minny does Conley/Gay/Naw for Russell but I hate the fit so much. I think it would help us clear cap space for next year which is... whatevs.
I don't feel great about it. I think there's a good chance Mike Conley has a Rudy situation where father time hits him. When he first got to the Jazz, I don't think it was the huge adjustment that caused him to struggle as much as it was his health. If his body isn't right, which shouldn't surprise anyone at 35, he could fall off a cliff. We can always wait until he has value as an expiring contract, but that requires to run it back this year to some extent and that is something I personally cannot bear.
I'd be happy to do the Russell trade. He might not be a great fit, but neither is Conley for the same reasons. Russell can be a chucker, but he is also a terrific and willing passer and has made strides on the defensive end.