MEMPHIS, June 28 (UPI) -- Teammate Zach Randolph called him the "Memphis Maestro," as the Grizzlies orchestrated its recruiting pitch Monday to Mike Conley.
The franchise assembled its resources, including Justin Timberlake and local director Craig Brewer, to produce a 2:44 project debuting at 11:11 a.m. Monday, titled: "Our Conductor." Conley, an unrestricted free agent, wears No. 11. He is free to negotiate with other teams starting Friday but can't sign until July 7.
"Mike, this is for you, from all of us, with all our heart," Timberlake says in the video.
In the video, the team employs a symphony orchestra, with Conley as the "conductor," and teammates Tony Allen, Marc Gasol, and Randolph to sing his praises.
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"Don't get it twisted. He's all heart, grit and grind," Allen says in the video.
Last year, Brewer also produced a film to get Gasol to re-sign with the team to the tune of a five-year deal.
"Mike Conley, he's the Memphis Maestro. He's got the ball in his hand. He's telling guys what to do. We are all players. We all have our parts. But Mike is like a conductor," Randolph says in the video.
GREAT athlete and a GREAT guy! This one is for you, @mconley11 ! @MyBrewTube @memgrizz https://t.co/5OeX3hppNO
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
The video features several clips of Conley's dishes, dunks, 3-pointers, and fan celebrations. It also details his injury against Portland and return to the court.
"Without question, my dream would be to win a championship in Memphis, with Mike Conley," Gasol says in the video.
Conley, 28, was the No. 4 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. The Ohio State product has averaged 13.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game in nine seasons with the team. He made nearly $9.4 million last season in Memphis.
World Premiere. A film by Craig Brewer. Our Conductor. Watch > https://t.co/3F8aqd6sPO #Mike
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) June 27, 2016
Earlier this month, Grizzlies executives were "growing a bit concerned about the possibility of Conley leaving," according to ESPN's Ian Begley.
Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace has not hidden his attitude toward retaining the guard.
"We're going to aggressively recruit him. Mike is our first priority," Wallace recently told the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
A max salary would start at $26.2 million for Conley in Memphis. He could potentially sign a deal north of $150 million with the Grizzlies.
