Grizzlies Targeting Centers

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace revealed his plan for the team's next move, saying, "If we add another player it’s more likely to be a center with size," Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports (Twitter link). Connecting the dots, that seems to indicate the Grizzles want to re-sign Hamed Haddadi, a move Tillery said yesterday that the team was targeting, though that's just my speculation. 

A look at Hoops Rumors list of unrestricted free agents, updated today, reveals little in the way of helpful size. Mehmet Okur is likely the best of the bunch, but injury limited him to just 17 games last season, and back trouble was reportedly was a factor in his release by the Blazers in March. A report last week linked Darko Milicic to four teams, none of which were the Grizzlies. Jermaine O'Neal and Joel Przybilla are two other possibilities. With Robin Lopez off the market, there aren't any more restricted free agent centers to go after.

According to Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com, the Grizzlies are above the tax threshold even after trading Jeremy Pargo today, with $73.05MM in guaranteed salary on the books for next season. So, it's unlikely they'll look to sign anyone else for more than the veteran's minimum. With a solid big-man rotation of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Darrell Arthur and Marreese Speights, I'd argue they don't have to sign a backup center at all.

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