January 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies are again discussing whether to deal reserve guard O.J. Mayo. This time, Memphis has explored at least two trade scenarios with the New Jersey Nets over the past couple of weeks, according to two NBA sources. Yahoo Sports first reported the talks. The Nets are interested in acquiring Mayo for salary-cap reasons as they try to clear room to make a run at Orlando center Dwight Howard in the offseason. With that in mind, the Nets have offered fourth-year guard Anthony Morrow for Mayo. Morrow, a 6-5 shooting guard, will earn $4 million this year and is guaranteed for $4 million next season. Mayo is making $5.6 this season — the final year of his rookie contract. He has a $7.4"
January 4
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph will miss up to eight weeks after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that he suffered a slight tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, sources with knowledge of the situation told The Commercial Appeal. The injury will not require surgery and doctors will re-evaluate Randolph in two weeks."
December 20
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies are preparing an offer sheet for Charlotte Bobcats restricted free agent Dante Cunningham, and team officials have held trade discussions with the Philadelphia 76ers as a response to forward Darrell Arthur's season-ending Achilles injury. Magnetic resonance imaging performed Monday on Arthur confirmed that he has a torn right Achilles and will miss the entire 2011-12 season. Memphis, shorthanded up front before Arthur's injury, is in the market for two frontcourt players. Cunningham is viewed as a close replacement for Arthur, and the Griz also have 76ers versatile big man Marresse Speights on their radar, according to sources with knowledge of the Grizzlies' thinking."
December 19
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies' already undermanned frontcourt now must endure an unexpected and potentially devastating loss. Forward Darrell Arthur left practice Sunday morning with what was believed to be a torn right Achilles and the fear is that he might be lost for the entire 2011-12 season, according to sources with knowledge of situation. Team officials are waiting for further test results, but a preliminary evaluation indicated that Arthur's condition is serious, according to the sources. The Grizzlies are expected to announce the extent of Arthur's injury and a final prognosis today."
December 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Amid the chaos going on around the NBA, Marc Gasol was certain about two things regarding his position as a restricted free agent. "There was a lot of interest," the Grizzlies' center said, adding: "I didn't want a lot of drama." Gasol, 26, made official Wednesday his four-year, $57.7 million contract agreement with the Grizzlies. The 7-footer also made this clear: leaving Memphis this season was never an option."
December 8
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Shane Battier is taking his talents to South Beach. The free agent forward, who helped the Memphis Grizzlies through a historic playoff run last season, used his Twitter account this morning to announce that he'll sign with the Miami Heat. Teams can begin to sign free agents at 1 p.m. Friday, which is also when training camps open. "Over the last week, I've played out every scenario in my head over and over. It always came back to one thing for me: a winning role," Battier wrote on Twitter. "I am appreciative of all the kind words and recruiting pitches over the last week, thank you!!" Battier later added: "Let's Go Heat.""
December 8
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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The notifications came on Twitter shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday. They were from Shane Battier and simple and to the point. The upshot: The versatile veteran swingman at 2 p.m. Friday, the earliest free agents are allowed to sign, will become a member of the Miami Heat. From his timeline: -- "The Lockout gave me a lots of time to consider what was important to me at this stage of my life and career. Over the last week, I've played out every scenario in my head over and over. It always came back to one thing for me: a winning role. I am appreciative of all the kind words and recruiting pitches over the last week, thank you!!" -- "This was a exciting process and after much deliberation, I"
December 4
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Josh McRoberts is on the Grizzlies' radar -- again. The 6-10 power forward/center, whom the Griz attempted to acquire in a trade with the Indiana Pacers last season, is an unrestricted free agent. Griz general manager Chris Wallace contacted McRoberts' agent, Mike Conley Sr., last week when the NBA allowed team executives to talk with player agents. There is mutual interest, according to league sources, although no deals can be agreed upon until the collective bargaining agreement is finalized. The league's agreement with the union is expected to be completed by Friday when training camps are scheduled to open. McRoberts, 24, is also drawing interest from the Los Angeles Lakers after"
December 1
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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As the NBA lockout moved closer to an official end Wednesday the Grizzlies began their attempt to forge a new beginning with center Marc Gasol. The 7-footer is a restricted free agent. Gasol is also the Grizzlies' top priority now that the NBA has reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with its players union. Free agency and training camps are expected to begin Dec. 9, but the league allowed teams to contact player agents early Wednesday. Griz general manager Chris Wallace spoke with Gasol's representative, Arn Tellem, and both agreed to set the tone for contract negotiations in the coming days."
November 30
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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There will be no addition by subtraction with the Grizzlies once they are officially allowed to conduct business under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. Memphis won't consider using the much-talked-about amnesty program -- a provision permitting each team to waive a player in order to remove his salary from its salary cap, while still paying out the balance of that contract. Team officials are still barred by the league from talking until the labor deal is final. But according to sources with knowledge of the Grizzlies' thinking, team brass find it amusing that Internet speculation persists about O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay being prime candidates for the waiver wire."
November 27
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Call it a buzzer-beater by the NBA. After months of negotiating and the threat of litigation, the league and its players reached a surprise agreement early Saturday morning that ended the 149-day lockout and salvaged the 2011-12 season. A tentative deal is in place for the league to begin a 66-game regular season on Christmas Day. The Grizzlies, who captivated the Mid-South with last season's playoff run that lasted until Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, now have a month to work through a training camp, free-agent period and the process of schmoozing fans before the season officially begins. "I want to encourage every Memphian and every Grizzlies fan to get behind our team and"
November 18
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Lester Hudson hasn't put on hold his dream of continuing to play in the NBA. The Memphis native simply is no longer waiting for an end to the lockout. Hudson left town earlier this week for China, where he will join the Guangdong Southern Tigers. Under Chinese Basketball Association rules, Hudson must play the full season without an opt-out clause should the NBA lockout end. The CBA's regular season runs through the middle of February. Hudson, 27, will play with Washington Wizards free agent Yi Jianlian and former Indiana Pacer Fred Jones. Phoenix Suns restricted free-agent guard Aaron Brooks has agreed to a one-year deal with Guangdong, according to Yahoo! Sports."
November 14
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Memphis Grizzlies player representative Mike Conley realizes that he's in New York today to deliver the biggest assist of his NBA career. The point guard will meet this morning with National Basketball Players Association executive director Billy Hunter, union president Derek Fisher and 29 other player representatives to discuss the league's revised and final proposal for ending a 41/2 -month-old lockout. "There are some things as players we want to be done in order for the deal to be right," Conley said in a telephone interview. "Hopefully, this next proposal is close enough that we can live with it and be able to play." If NBA commissioner David Stern presented a significantly better"
November 2
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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There is no doubt O.J. Mayo will be on the Grizzlies' roster when the NBA settles its labor dispute with the players. But for how long? Mayo's career is at a crossroads. And the Grizzlies -- facing high expectations after a playoff run to Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals last season -- are right there in terms of evaluating Mayo's future with the organization. The 6-3 shooting guard brought a household name and bucket loads of points in 2008, going on to average 18 points his first two seasons as a starter. But those Griz teams weren't playoff qualifiers."
September 19
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Marc Gasol has been a bit distracted this summer to worry too much about the NBA lockout. The 7-footer culminated a thrilling offseason Sunday with chest bumps for his teammates as Spain beat France to win the European basketball championship. With a second straight European crown in his back pocket, Gasol now wants to hold on to another title: Grizzlies starting center. Gasol will be a restricted free agent whenever the NBA and its players' union agree to a new collective bargaining agreement. He wants to remain a Grizzly so much that you just might see the giant Spaniard strolling around town by the end of this month or early October."
August 23
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The latest incident threatening Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph's reputation reportedly began with a drug deal gone bad over the weekend. On Monday, police in suburban Portland, Ore., detailed an incident in which a man said he was beaten after attempting to sell marijuana at Randolph's home. James Beasley, 26, told police that he was encouraged to sell marijuana to guests at an after-hours party in Randolph's mansion. But something went wrong around 4 a.m. Saturday, according to an Oregonian report. "Mr. Beasley said four to seven people jumped him and beat him bloody with pool cues," Sgt. James Rhodes, a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office spokesman, told the newspaper. Beasley told"
August 22
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Police served a search warrant at a Portland, Ore., home belonging to Zach Randolph but the Grizzlies power forward was not a suspect in their investigation early Sunday morning, according to an Oregonian newspaper report. Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. James Rhodes told the newspaper that Randolph was at the West Linn property at the time police served the warrant. Rhodes said the search warrant came as part of a drug-related assault that occurred at the home early Saturday morning. A man who was at the home told police he was assaulted with a pool cue by multiple people. Police said Randolph was at home at the time of the incident but was not a suspect in the assault. The victim was treated"
June 29
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Reserve center Hamed Haddadi received a qualifying offer from the Grizzlies, making him a restricted free agent this offseason. General manager Chris Wallace announced the move today. The Griz will now have the right to match any contract offers Haddadi receives from other teams. The qualifying offer will pay Haddadi $2 million for the 2011-12 season if he doesn't sign a new deal this summer."
June 24
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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There were at least three serious conversations regarding O.J. Mayo. Another team showed great interest in Darrell Arthur. "But we made a decision to stand pat. We like our team. We just want to add to what we have." If the Grizzlies got lucky with the 49th overall pick in the second round then they will have fulfilled a couple of needs. Memphis, which also rejected offers to buy the pick, selected combo guard Josh Selby out of Kansas in hopes that he will improve their depth at point guard and perimeter shooting. The 6-3 gunner is a described as a good shooter and explosive athlete. Griz general manager Chris Wallace believes that Selby is a much better player than his disappointing"
June 23
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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NBA drafts are often reassessed years later with a player or two ranked much higher than his original selection because he went late in the second round and proved to be a solid contributor. They're called hidden gems. The Grizzlies will try to find great value tonight when they enter the draft with only the 49th overall pick. Barring a trade, the Griz are approaching this draft realizing that a franchise-changing prospect likely won't be found so late. But they also know an undervalued player could be there for the taking. Over the past decade, there have been productive players selected in the latter part of the second round. "Are you likely to find a star at this point? No,""
June 22
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Guard Sam Young will remain with the Grizzlies, and the team is on the verge of making its first move to keep center Marc Gasol. The Griz will soon exercise a contract option on Young in order to secure his services for the 2011-12 season, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Memphis will also extend a $4.5 million qualifying offer to Gasol, making him a restricted free agent and giving the Griz the right to match any contract offer the 7-footer receives this summer. Griz owner Michael Heisley has said he plans to retain Gasol amid expectations that the Spaniard will generate great interest once free agency begins. The Griz have until June 30 to exercise the options on"
June 21
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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It appears as though the Grizzlies saved their biggest for last. The team's final predraft workout is filled with power forward and center prospects today in FedExForum. University of Memphis forward Will Coleman headlines the first of two sessions, although the 6-8 former Tiger is considered a long shot to be drafted given an underwhelming college career. He averaged 7.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots with the Tigers. Coleman recorded just five career double-doubles."
June 19
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Geoff Calkins
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A quick quiz. Ready? Who are Steffon Pettigrew, Keaton Nankivil, Billy White and Talor Battle? Answer: Basketball players. Not just any basketball players, either. Players the Grizzlies brought to Memphis on Friday to prepare for the NBA Draft. How great is that? No lottery pick needed to save the franchise this year. No Hasheem Thabeet at No. 2 or Drew Gooden at No. 4. No booms, no busts. No miracles required. "It's different," said Tony Barone, the Grizzlies director of player personnel. He meant that in a good way. The Grizzlies did too well this year to be central to Thursday night's proceedings. Who needs the lottery when you've got a deep playoff run to celebrate? The"
June 18
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Just because the Grizzlies are scheduled to make a selection near the end of Thursday's NBA draft doesn't mean they will be in no man's land. Griz director of player personnel Tony Barone Sr. is confident the team can fill a need with the 49th overall pick in the second round. Toward that goal, the Griz staff worked out 12 prospects Friday at FedExForum, including two forwards who were intriguing because of their ability to rebound and make perimeter shots -- 6-8 Jamie Skeen from Virginia Commonwealth and 6-9 Vernon Macklin from Florida. The Grizzlies' final pre-draft workout is Tuesday. "One of the things you have to be careful of is making a mistake of not doing your due diligence,""
June 17
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Super-sized is how the Grizzlies ordered their second pre-draft workout. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. today in FedExForum, the team will conduct two sessions that feature six prospects in each. The second group is scheduled to work out at 11:30 a.m. Memphis owns the 49th overall selection in the second round of the June 23 NBA draft. The Grizzlies' first pre-draft workout June 12 focused on shooters. This one will run the gamut as coaches and executives will look at every position, including center. Participating in the first session are forwards Billy White (6-8, San Diego State), Jamie Skeen (6-8, Virginia Commonwealth), Keaton Nankivil (6-8, Wisconsin) and Steffphon Pettigrew (6-5,"
June 13
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Andrew Goudelock was the most intriguing prospect scheduled to meet the Grizzlies Sunday for an NBA pre-draft workout. But Goudelock, a 6-3 scorer from the College of Charleston, didn't participate because of an injured finger on his shooting hand. Griz director of player personnel, Tony Barone Sr., said the team hopes to re-schedule Goudelock's workout before the June 23 draft. Memphis owns only a second-round pick (49th overall). Memphis native Randy Culpepper, a senior guard at UTEP last season, stood in for Goudelock. However, Ohio State's 6-6 guard Jon Diebler had the most impressive session, which included guards Bill Clark, 6-4 from Duquesne, Jeremy Hazell, 6-5 from Seton Hall,"
June 5
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies' assistant coaches are working under contracts that expire at the end of the month but the organization intends to negotiate new deals by the June 23 NBA draft that is under the specter of a lockout, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. Assistants Johnny Davis, Henry Bibby, Barry Hecker and Dave Joerger have deals that run through June 30. They each signed a one-year contract soon after the draft last year. None of this means the Grizzlies will retain all of their assistant coaches. Damon Stoudamire left recently to join University of Memphis coach Josh Pastner's staff. Joerger is expected to interview with the Houston Rockets soon for a job that would make"