There has been lots of trade talk surrounding the Grizzlies, particularly small forward Rudy Gay, but Jeff Caplan of NBA.com opines that this team deserves the opportunity to stay together and make a run at the title in 2013. Power forward Zach Randolph agrees with that sentiment. "That’s what happens when you get new owners," said Randolph. "Mr. [Michael] Heisley (the Grizzlies’ previous owner), he had a vision of keeping us all together. He took care of all of us to build a team and try to win a championship. Now the new owner probably wants to do something different. But it’s a business." Here's more from around the league…
- Spanish team Valencia Basket announced that they have granted Mickael Gelabale permission to travel to the U.S. to negotiate a deal in the NBA, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The forward has an NBA out in his contract with Valencia to exercise by end of January. If Gelabale doesn't find an agreement in NBA, he will return to Spain to finish out the season with Valencia.
- Former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy spoke to Chris Mannix of NBC Sports (on Twitter) about why he wouldn't be interested in the Nets' head coaching job. "I just don't think that's a place [my family] would relocate to at this point," Van Gundy explained.
- Van Gundy also expressed a similar opinion to Caplan and said that he didn't understand why the Grizzlies would move Gay right when they are accomplishing the kind of success that they've been building for (Twitter link).
- Derek Page of HoopsWorld checked in with Rockets rookie Terrence Jones and wonders if he is NBA ready at this stage. Jones has been shuttled between Houston and the D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers this season.
- The D-League's influence is growing bigger and bigger every year, writes Sam Amick of USA Today. Nearly 30% of the NBA's current players have had D-League experience. This season, a record 49 NBA players have been assigned a record 100 times to the D-League. For a full list of this year's assignments and recalls, check out our handy running post.