Von Wafer signing with Memphis

It_Was_Typed · Post #1 » by **It_Was_Typed** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:26 pm

Wafer Memphis Bound?

Former Rockets guard Von Wafer is close to leaving Olympiakos and returning to the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, one source told HoopsHype.com. Wafer’s European agents are working today to rescind his contract with the Greek powerhouse. The 6-foot-5 guard could soon afterwards join the Grizzlies for the rest of the season, the source said.

Wafer’s departure is apparently of mutual agreement. Wafer was due to make $2 million with Olympiakos this year but the team’s coach, Greek legend Panagiotis Giannakis, wasn’t playing him for the last few games. Management didn’t want to have that type of investment sitting on the bench, according to the source, so both sides decided to come to a quick resolution.

Wafer had his best season in the NBA last year with averages of 9.7 ppg and 1.8 rpg.

http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/sierra ... his-bound/

I like the signing. Should help provide a spark off the bench.

Bird And Magic · Post #2 » by **Bird And Magic** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 5:56 pm

I posted this in the international section but this should also be useful information for Grizzlies fans as well.

Von Wafer 2008-09 season stats in Europe with Olympiacos:

Greek A1 League:

36.4% Field Goal Percentage
33.3% 3 Point Field Goal Percentage

3.0 Points Per Game
1.3 Rebounds Per Game
0.0 Assists per Game

0.0 Steals Per Game
0.0 Blocks Per Game
0.3 Turnovers Per Game

Euroleague:

50.0% Field Goal Percentage
33.3% 3 Point Field Goal Percentage
86.7% Free Throw Percentage

7.7 Points Per Game
1.3 Rebounds Per Game
1.0 Assists per Game

0.3 Steals Per Game
0.0 Blocks Per Game
2.7 Turnovers Per Game

Post #3 » by **SD2042** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:21 pm

If the news is true. He might have a chance to help improve the Grizz from the bench in terms of slashing to the post and can stretch out the offense at times.

Bird And Magic · Post #4 » by **Bird And Magic** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:05 pm

He was officially cut, so yes it is true now that he is available.

http://www.talkbasket.net/news/von-wafer-history-for-olympiacos-officially-2777.html

Von Wafer history for Olympiacos, officially

We had reported some days ago that Olympiacos and Von Wafer's agents had already begun negotiations to terminate their co-operation and tonight it was made officially known that Von Wafer is history for Olympiacos.

Olympiacos officially announced the release of the player, who could sign with the Memphis Grizzlies any day now. The reason for his departure is the failure to adapt to Olympiacos' style of game and poor performance.

Mumbles · Post #5 » by **Mumbles** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:02 pm

His European stats are really not that useful as far as the Grizzlies are concerned.

Meatcookie · Post #6 » by **Meatcookie** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 3:51 am

His Rocket stats will be closer to what he will do than the Euro stats.

He will be a nice spark off the bench that is for sure. He is quick and not shy about shooting. Hopefully he has changed his game a little bit and learned to pass more. At times he was a black hole.

Guy986 · Post #7 » by **Guy986** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:33 am

jts10 wrote:At all time he was a black hole.

Fixed

I Am Awesome-O · Post #8 » by **I Am Awesome-O** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:41 pm

Memphis's GM Chris Wallace just said on the Chris Vernon show that he does not expect Wafer to sign with the Grizzlies. Ouch.

He did however sound like there was a bigger deal than Wafer on the horizon. Possibly a 2-for-1 trade.

aznkillabeezZz · Post #9 » by **aznkillabeezZz** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:29 am

Houston news reports that he's signed with us. That sucks for you guys. I thought that he signed for Grizz. Maybe bad reporting.

GrizzledGrizzFan · Post #10 » by **GrizzledGrizzFan** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 3:11 am

aznkillabeezZz wrote:Houston news reports that he's signed with us. That sucks for you guys. I thought that he signed for Grizz. Maybe bad reporting.

Yup - he has been here in Memphis. However, Houston swept in with a better offer and a system he's apparently comfortable in. Oh well - wish him all the best.

GrizzledGrizzFan · Post #11 » by **GrizzledGrizzFan** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:24 pm

A little follow up from Ron Tillery (Grizz beat writer) from his radio show this morning.

As of this weekend things were on track for Von to be a Grizz. He was in town Sunday and at the game. Monday he took his physical. The doctors didn't like something and sent him to a specialist Tuesday morning, at which point the deal fell through. Houston jumped in and Von to Houston was a done deal.

A very interesting note is that Tillery mentioned, although he wouldn't mention particulars and hadn't gotten official confirmation, the Grizz have been offered a very intriguing deal that would need the roster spot Wafer would have taken up. Hopefully the next few days should prove interesting...

jefe · Post #12 » by **jefe** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:48 pm

GrizzledGrizzFan wrote:A little follow up from Ron Tillery (Grizz beat writer) from his radio show this morning.

As of this weekend things were on track for Von to be a Grizz. He was in town Sunday and at the game. Monday he took his physical. The doctors didn't like something and sent him to a specialist Tuesday morning, at which point the deal fell through. Houston jumped in and Von to Houston was a done deal.

A very interesting note is that Tillery mentioned, although he wouldn't mention particulars and hadn't gotten official confirmation, the Grizz have been offered a very intriguing deal that would need the roster spot Wafer would have taken up. Hopefully the next few days should prove interesting...

If we're doing a two-for-one then we're probably not upgrading - unless we're eating some salary . . .

vanjulio · Post #13 » by **vanjulio** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 7:12 pm

hopefully all those favors we've done for other teams is giving us a christmas present to help us make a playoff run. all that capspace moves and cash considerations should get us a nice deal

I Am Awesome-O · Post #14 » by **I Am Awesome-O** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:17 pm

jefe wrote:If we're doing a two-for-one then we're probably not upgrading - unless we're eating some salary . . .

Tillery mentioned in his weekly chat that they are interested in doing a something-for-nothing deal, which means they probably are going to eat some salary and use Hunter's expiring.

Downtown · Post #15 » by **Downtown** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:30 pm

Oh sure, now you guys have me hanging anticipating something. :wink:

jefe · Post #16 » by **jefe** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:44 am

I Am Awesome-O wrote:
jefe wrote:If we're doing a two-for-one then we're probably not upgrading - unless we're eating some salary . . .

Tillery mentioned in his weekly chat that they are interested in doing a something-for-nothing deal, which means they probably are going to eat some salary and use Hunter's expiring.

Hmmm, doing a something for nothing deal would require us to use the ~3 mill in salary cap we have remaining (if I'm incorrect in on that number, please correct me) and I can't see a player on that type of deal in that type of trade being intriguing. :-?

Using Hunter's expiring and needing the extra roster spot would imply a two for one, and something along the lines of a player on a rookie deal and some salary to eat ... something like the Maynor and Harpring to OKC deal, but that's not intriguing either. :-?

What players are on the block, fit either scenario, and would be deemed "intriguing" by Tillery? I can't think of any that fit the bill.

Great · Post #17 » by **Great** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 11:43 pm

The idea to sign Wafer was a good one.

The team is precariously thin at SG/SF.

Fouls or injury to Mayo or Gay and it's really tough on this team from the perimeter.

Need to sign another SG who can make threes, play defense, and score.

Post #18 » by **Three34** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:34 pm

A deal that begins around John Salmons for Steven Hunter and Marcus Williams is along the right lines.

Great · Post #19 » by **Great** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 8:00 pm

That's a good idea.