It's hard to think of bad things to say about Mike Conley Jr.'s tenure with the Utah Jazz. He tripped over himself at first, but he eventually figured out how to thrive in the role they gave him. Plus, when it was all said and done, the Jazz got a first-round asset that was included in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade.
Conley's NBA career is nearing the end of its rope, as it's quite clear he can't play the same role he once did for the Jazz or the Minnesota Timberwolves. So why did he choose the Celtics? According to The Athletic's Jon Krawzynski, it was because he wanted to play for a "flagship franchise."
How did Mike Conley land in Boston after 4 beloved years in Minnesota? @JonKrawczynski: “I was told Mike really wanted to at least spend one year playing for a flagship franchise.”
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) September 6, 2026
We discussed what Conley brings to Boston in our Celtics player preview series. pic.twitter.com/H9ukKzLZDT
For anyone who is wondering, a flagship franchise is a team with plenty of rich history over the years who have factored into how the league came to be what it is today.
Throughout his career, Conley has played for three teams: the Jazz, Timberwolves, and Memphis Grizzlies. The Jazz have the strongest of all three of these teams, but they don't fit the definition of a "flagship franchise" compared to the likes of the Celtics.
They have a good history because, up until this decade, they constructed playoff rosters through smart team-building more than anyhting else as opposed to the draft. Conley signing with the Celtics because their history is richer is a harsh reality that the Jazz simply aren't on that level.
At least, for now, they are not.
This could change in this next decade or so
In terms of championships, Boston has Utah beaten by 18, but in all fairness, they had 12 of those when the Jazz first came to the NBA in 1974 when they started in New Orleans. No one's suggesting that Utah has to win 18 titles to earn this label, but simply need to win a few to inch closer to it.
Take Miami, for example. They've lucked out that they started in a popular destination like South Beach, but they've earned their reputation as one of the NBA's premier franchises because they have three titles to their name, along with four additional NBA Finals appearances from hiring the right people (Pat Riley) and bringing in all-time NBA players (Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Jimmy Butler).
The Jazz are all set to disprove the narrative that they are not a players' destination. if all goes right for them for the next decade or so, it may not be too long before they are considered on the same tier as the Celtics and the other flagship franchises.
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