Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley underwent surgery to smooth a small bone protrusion in his left heel in January and missed the majority of the 2017-18 season as a result.
Conley only played in 12 games last season, averaging 17.1 points and 4.1 assists while shooting 38.1 percent from the field and 31.2 percent from three.
There’s some good news for Grizzlies fans, though. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff says Conley will be healthy for training camp, which starts in roughly two weeks.
“There’s no doubt about it,” Bickerstaff told Mark Giannotto of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. “Mike’s been playing pick up, those types of things. For the first time in a long time, we’re looking at walking into training camp with healthy bodies and healthy, high-caliber players. Not just guys who would be your 13th or 14th man. We’ve got our studs healthy, which we’re looking forward to.”
Without Conley last year, the Grizzlies endured one of its worst seasons in franchise history. The team went 22-60, finishing with the second worst record in the Western Conference. With the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Grizzlies selected power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. from Michigan State.
At Team USA training camp in July, Conley told reporters in Las Vegas he’s feeling good and on course to be ready for training camp in September.
“I’m doing really well,” Conley told reporters in July. “I wish I could’ve participated in contact stuff. I think I could, but we’re being cautious and allowing me to get a full summer of rehab. I should be ready to go by training camp — I expect to be ready.”
Mike Conley has career averages of 14.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 718 games. He signed a five-year, $152.6 million contract with Memphis in 2016 and will make $30.5 million this season.
