Memphis Grizzlies Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Western Notes: M. Gasol, Carter, Green, Richardson

January 1st, 2017 at 9:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Grizzlies need Marc Gasol‘s injured ankle to heal as quickly as possible, writes Sam Amick of USA Today. Gasol rolled his left ankle in Saturday’s game, providing a scare for the team’s top player this season. The 32-year-old center is averaging a career high in points and rebounds, while anchoring the NBA’s top defense. X-rays were negative and Gasol was listed as day-to-day with a sprained ankle, according to ESPN. “It hurts, but it’s not broken,” Gasol said. “It’s tender right now, so we will take it day-to-day, just like always.”

There’s more out of the Western Conference:

The contracts for Grizzlies Vince Carter and JaMychal Green both became guaranteed today, tweets Bobby Marks of The Vertical. Carter will make $4,264,057 this season, while Green will collect $980,431. Both players will become free agents when the season ends.
The Kings are planning to give more playing time to rookie guard Malachi Richardson, writes James Ham of CSNBayArea. Richardson has gotten into just five games with Sacramento, averaging 6.4 minutes. But he has played well in the D-League, with 21 points per night in 11 games, and coach Dave Joerger is ready to give him a chance at the NBA level. “I think that it’s time for Malachi to get into the rotation, especially with Rudy [Gay] out,” Joerger said. “That’s something that you’ll see, probably, going forward.”
Agent Rich Kleiman will leave Roc Nation to become the manager and business partner for the Warriors‘ Kevin Durant, according to Mark J. Burns of SportTechie (Twitter links). The agency will continue to represent Durant.

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/28/16

December 28th, 2016 at 8:35pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Wednesday’s D-League assignments and recalls from across the NBA:

8:35pm

The Grizzlies have recalled Wade Baldwin from the Iowa Energy, according to the team’s website. The rookie has appeared in 20 games for the Memphis this season, and he’s seeing 14.5 minutes per contest.

3:41pm

The Cavaliers have sent rookie point guard Kay Felder to the Canton Charge, according to a press release issued by the team. It’s the first D-League assignment of the season for Felder, who has appeared in 14 games for Cleveland.
A day after being assigned to the D-League, rookie center Damian Jones was recalled by the Warriors, the team announced today in a press release. Jones contributed to Santa Cruz’ win on Tuesday night, chipping in eight points and four boards before fouling out.
The Celtics have re-assigned Jordan Mickey to the NBADL, the team announced today (via Twitter). Mickey, who has played sparingly for Boston this season, has averaged 16.0 PPG and 12.0 RPG in his two contests with the Maine Red Claws.
Ivica Zubac will suit up for the Los Angeles D-Fenders tonight, having been assigned to the Lakers‘ D-League affiliate today (Twitter link via Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News). The 2016 second-rounder has played well in eight D-League games this year, averaging 16.8 PPG and 9.5 RPG.

Rade Zagorac Likely To Join Grizzlies In 2017

December 28th, 2016 at 11:32am CST by Luke Adams

Serbian forward Rade Zagorac didn’t join the Grizzlies right away when the team used the 35th overall pick in the 2016 draft to select him. However, agent Misko Raznatovic believes it’s very likely that his client will head to Memphis in the summer of 2017 to join his NBA team. Raznatovic said as much during a conversation with Sasa Ozmo of SportKlub.rs (translation via Sportando).

“It is almost certain that Rade Zagorac will sign with the Grizzlies next year,” Raznatovic said. “In the NBA it is called [a] ‘verbal commitment’ – unlike in Europe, where verbal agreements don’t mean much, in the USA they stick to what was agreed in regard to plan of development of a certain player. That is the main reason why Zagorac stayed in Mega, so that he could go to the NBA next season.”

Zagorac, whose rights were acquired by the Grizzlies in a draft-night trade that also sent No. 31 pick Deyonta Davis to Memphis, has been the leading scorer for KK Mega Leks in Serbia this season. In 14 ABA League games, he has averaged 15.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 2.8 APG.

Shortly after he was selected by the Grizzlies this summer, Zagorac told Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal that he felt like the “best solution” for his development was to play one more season in Europe before heading to the NBA in 2017, so he and his agent have been eyeing that possibility for some time. If Memphis does add Zagorac next year, the team will have to use cap room or an exception to sign him, since he’s not subject to the rookie scale.

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/26/16

December 26th, 2016 at 10:24pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Monday’s D-League assignments and recalls from around the NBA, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

11:24pm:

The Clippers have assigned rookie center Diamond Stone to the Salt Lake City Stars, according to the team’s website. He previously played four games with Santa Cruz, as the Clippers don’t have a direct affiliate in the D-League. The 40th pick in this year’s draft, Stone has appeared in four games for L.A.
The Kings have recalled Skal Labissiere and Georgios Papagiannis from Reno, tweets James Ham of CSNBayArea. Labissiere was activated for tonight’s game, but Papagiannis was not.

5:30pm:

The Grizzlies have assigned Troy Williams to Iowa Energy, the team announced on its website. Up to this point, the undrafted rookie has played 24 games for Memphis and started 13 of them.

2:20pm:

The Nets sent Chris McCullough back to their D-League affiliate today, the team announced in a press release. McCullough, who is playing in the Long Island Nets’ afternoon game, could be recalled prior to tonight’s contest between Charlotte and Brooklyn, which would allow him to suit up for both Nets teams today.

Injury Notes: Nance, Nowitzki, Parsons, Oladipo

December 21st, 2016 at 7:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. has a bone bruise in his left knee and will be out indefinitely, the team announced on its website. He suffered the injury Tuesday in Charlotte. Nance had an MRI today to confirm the injury, but further results were limited because of swelling. He will be re-evaluated Sunday, and the Lakers plan to issue an update on availability after that examination. Nance has played in 28 of the team’s 31 games this season, all off the bench.

There’s more injury news from around the NBA:

Dirk Nowitzki won’t play tonight, but the Mavericks hope to have him back soon, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Nowitzki is almost fully recovered from a strained right Achilles and could play Friday against the Clippers or Monday against the Pelicans. “I’ll probably get a good workout tonight and see how it responds,” Nowitzki said. “I’ll probably get my first practice [Thursday] and see how it feels, basically go from day to day. It’s been encouraging. It hasn’t gotten worse from some of the stuff we’ve been doing. Hopefully, I’ll be out there soon.”
Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons is active for tonight’s game with the Pistons, tweets Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Parsons, who was still recovering from offseason surgery on his right knee when the season started, has appeared in just six games. He suffered a bone bruise on his left knee shortly after returning.
Thunder guard Victor Oladipo says his injured right wrist is improving, but he will sit out his fifth straight game tonight, writes Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman. Despite his optimism, coach Billy Donovan said there has been “no change at all in terms of what he can and can’t do” since suffering the injury in a December 11th game. “He is getting better,” Donovan said. “I don’t want to come across like he’s not. There is improvement there, but it’s not at a point where he can do enough in terms of catching, passing, shooting, playing right now.”
Back tightness forced Hawks center Dwight Howard to sit out tonight for the second straight game, according to Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s a lot better than it was a couple days ago,” Howard said. “It continues to get better.” Howard, who signed a three-year, $70.5MM deal with the Hawks in July, has had back issues before. In 2014/15, back and knee problems limited him to 41 games with the Rockets.
The Jazz expect to have point guard George Hill back in the lineup soon, although it may not happen until next week, report Aaron Falk and Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. Hill went through an intense workout Tuesday as he tries to overcome a sprained toe that has sidelined him for nearly a month.
Wizards center Ian Mahinmi had platelet-rich plasma treatments on both knees this morning, tweets Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. Knee problems have limited him to just one game after signing a four-year, $64MM contract this summer.

Fizdale Criticizes Grizzlies' Leadership; Parsons To Return

December 21st, 2016 at 9:49am CST by ChrisCrouse

After blowing a 17-point lead en route to an overtime loss on Tuesday night, The Grizzlies received some harsh criticism from head coach David Fizdale, who suggested that “nobody wants to step up and lead this group now during this tough time.” Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com has the details and the quotes from the rookie head coach.
Chandler Parsons could see action for the Grizzlies tonight, Michael Wallace of NBA.com tweets. Parsons hasn’t played in over a month because of bone bruise on his left knee.

Parsons Practices, Eyes Return "Mid-Week"

December 19th, 2016 at 8:52pm CST by Austin Kent

Chandler Parsons could be back in action for the Grizzlies in a “matter of days,” tweets Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal. The news is the latest in a series of positive headlines for a franchise that has already recently welcomed back Mike Conley and James Ennis.

Parsons has been out of action since November 18 when he sustained a bone bruise on his left knee, the latest in a concerning line of various knee ailments. On Monday, however, the 28-year-old forward practiced for the first time in a month and spoke with Tillery about getting back into routine with the Grizzlies.

Having fallen victim to knee injuries twice in the past year (he had surgery on his right knee back in March), Parsons will have his work cut out for him to prove that he can be a reliable option for the Grizzlies. In a feature for CBS Sports earlier this month, James Herbert detailed some of the small forward’s previous injuries, going so far as to say that concern over his torn meniscus is what led to the Mavericks opting against signing him to a long-term contract over the summer.

Grizzlies Listening, But Reluctant To Move Tony Allen

December 19th, 2016 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

Although the Grizzlies are listening to inquiries on Tony Allen, they don’t necessarily want to move him, sources tell Kyler. Still, the team recognizes that his modest salary, expiring contract, and on-court play could make him a valuable trade chip.

[SOURCE LINK]

Grizzlies Open To Dealing Tony Allen

December 18th, 2016 at 5:45pm CST by Austin Kent

The Grizzlies are open to trading veteran shooting guard Tony Allen, according to Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal, who says that rival teams are gauging interest and Memphis is listening. The shutdown defender would be a valuable addition to any NBA team looking to lock down the league’s top perimeter threats so it comes as no surprise that teams are inquiring on him.

The 34-year-old comes with a cap-friendly $5.5MM contract expiring this year and a defensive résumé that puts him in a class of his own. In five of the past six seasons, Allen has been named to an All-Defensive Team, most recently to the Second Team in 2016 and earlier this year, Kobe Bryant referred to the pesky two-guard as the “best defender he ever faced.”

As Chris Crouse explained for Hoops Rumors last week, the traditionally defensive-minded Grizzlies have had success of late reverting back to their old identity. Moving their most decorated perimeter stopper seems counter-intuitive to that, but more in line with their offseason decision to embrace a faster playing style.

Allen has played a significant role in Memphis’ success over the course of the past seven seasons after playing the first six years of his career with the Celtics. Through 21 games in 2016/17, he has averaged 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in just under 27 minutes.

JaMychal Green An Under-The-Radar 2017 Free Agent?

December 18th, 2016 at 3:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Keith P. Smith of RealGM.com identifies 11 players on track for 2017 free agency who may be flying under the radar a little, including JaMychal Green (Grizzlies), Patty Mills (Spurs), and Bojan Bogdanovic (Nets).