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Less than a week remains before the NBA draft and there is little-to-no buzz surrounding the Grizzlies despite them owning three first-round picks.

Team officials are tight-lipped about their intentions for Thursday, making it difficult to pinpoint players they will seriously consider at 12, 25 and 28. Then again, it appears that the Grizzlies haven't necessarily settled on a direction given how general manager Chris Wallace summed up the process.
"Every possibility is still in play," he said.

NBA insiders indicate that while the Grizzlies aren't involved in any trade discussions that would allow them to acquire a top-10 selection, they are exploring deals that may compel them to move one or two picks.

Memphis' goal still is to come away from the draft with an impact player, if not a star.

There are indications that the Griz have joined a long line of teams trying to convince the New Orleans Hornets to part with one of their point guards: Chris Paul or Darren Collison.

One of the Grizzlies' stated goals this offseason is to bolster the point guard position. Paul, an all-star, all-defensive team member, would easily supplant incumbent starter Mike Conley after averaging 19 points and 10 assists over five seasons.

Collison would represent a dynamic backup at the position or someone who could push Conley for the starting job.

Reportedly, the Hornets informed suitors that they must be willing to also take on one of their weighty contracts in any proposed deal.

Peja Stojakovic (one year, $15.3 million), Emeka Okafor (four years, $48 million) and James Posey (two years, $13 million) are among the contracts the Hornets might want to unload.

Any deal involving the Hornets' point guards likely will come down to ownership.

Longtime owner George Shinn's proposed sale of a majority share to limited partner Gary Chouest has not been officially announced. If the deal falls through and Shinn maintains control, there are indications that he would want to deal Paul in a bold stroke to shed salary.

Chouest likely would keep Paul and continue to build a contender.

What is clear, however, is that the Griz haven't dialed into just one scenario.

The Griz have fielded offers for one or more of their draft picks even though it is not clear which NBA players might be made available to them in a potential deal.

"There will be a market for us to package the 20s and move up, to sell, to step out and take something for the future," Wallace said. "It remains to be seen what the market is for a player already under contract."

There are no indications that the Grizzlies are involved in talks with the Toronto Raptors even as that Eastern Conference team prepares to overhaul its roster.

Forward Chris Bosh apparently is ready to depart via free agency. Hedo Turkoglu publicly stating his desire to be traded. So the Raptors reportedly have indicated a willingness to listen to offers for Turkoglu and guards Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack.

While the Grizzlies have not engaged the Raptors there is some organizational interest in Turkoglu and Calderon. However, both players' long-term contracts starting at $9 million apiece might calm any Memphis desires.


NBA Draft
Grizzlies' path to draft night

Memphis has the Nos. 12, 25 and 28 picks in the NBA draft. Here's a look at the team's tentative schedule:

Sunday: Workouts in Memphis expected to include Ole Miss guard Terrico White, a former Craigmont star, plus Kentucky forward Patrick Patterson and West Virginia forward Devin Ebanks.

Thursday: NBA draft in New York



-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353


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spade57 wrote:Raps fan. Why dont players what to work out for the Grizz? You seem to have an up and coming team. Is it the city? Franchise history?