Memphis Grizzlies Blog – Page 54 – NBA Blog

Hornets trade Quincy Pondexter to Grizzlies for Greivis Vasquez

The Memphis Grizzlies acquired guard/forward Quincy Pondexter from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for guard Greivis Vasquez, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

“We feel this is a trade that benefits both teams. We will miss Quincy and we thank him for his efforts, professionalism and work ethic,” said Hornets GM Dell Demps. “We are excited to add Greivis Vasquez to our team, organization and community. Greivis is an exciting, big guard that plays with a passion that we hope will thrill our fans at the Hive.”

Pondexter (6-6, 225) comes to Memphis after averaging 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in 33.0 minutes in two preseason games against the Grizzlies earlier this month, including a 14-point, 12-rebound performance on Dec. 21. The 23-year-old recorded 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds on .406 shooting in 11.1 minutes in 66 games (six starts) as a rookie with the Hornets last season.

A native of Fresno, Calif., Pondexter left the University of Washington as the school’s career leader in games played (136) and third all-time in scoring (1,786 points), averaging 19.3 points and 7.4 rebounds on .528 shooting in 36 games as a senior with the Huskies.

Originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round (26th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, Pondexter’s rights were acquired by New Orleans in a draft-night deal on June 24, 2010.

Vasquez (6-6, 211), who was drafted 28th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2010 NBA Draft, averaged 3.6 points and 2.2 assists in 12.3 minutes of action over 70 games (one start) for Memphis last season. In two preseason games this season, he averaged 4.5 points and 4.5 assists in 14.5 minutes of play. He is the first Venezuelan-born player ever selected in the NBA Draft and only the third Venezuelan to play in the NBA, joining Carl Herrera (1991-99) and Oscar Torres (2001-03). Vasquez was named the ACC Player of the Year and won the Bob Cousy Award as the best point guard in the nation in 2009-10 while at Maryland University. He is the only player in ACC history to record at least 2,000 points (2,171), 750 assists (772) and 600 rebounds (647) in a career.

Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur undergoes season-ending surgery

Memphis Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. The surgery was performed yesterday by team physician Dr. Fred Azar and Dr. Drew Murphy at the Campbell Surgery Center.

Arthur (6-9, 235), who suffered the injury on Dec. 18, will begin his post-operative rehabilitation after an appropriate period of healing. The 23-year-old is expected to be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season.

Last season, the Dallas native averaged career highs in points (9.1), field goal percentage (.497), blocks (0.79) and minutes (20.1) in 80 games in his third NBA campaign. He posted 7.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 15.5 minutes during Memphis’ 13-game run in the 2011 Playoffs.

After helping lead Kansas to the 2008 NCAA Championship, Arthur was selected by the New Orleans Hornets in the first round (27th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft and traded to Memphis on draft night. He owns career averages of 6.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.69 blocks on .468 shooting in 18.8 minutes in 188 games (73 starts), all with the Grizzlies.

Grizzlies rescind qualifying offer to Hamed Haddadi

Backup center Hamed Haddadi is still trying to obtain a work visa, and he’s also looking for an NBA contract.

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace confirmed Thursday that the team withdrew its $2 million qualifying offer from Haddadi, a 7-footer who hails from Iran. The move makes Haddadi, 26, an unrestricted free agent. He can sign with any NBA team without the Griz having a right to match offers.

The Grizzlies’ decision was primarily based on finances as they are trying to remain comfortably below the league’s $70 million luxury tax. It is possible that the Griz and Haddadi will negotiate a multi-year deal, paying between $1 and $1.5 million per season.

— Via Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur will miss entire 2011-12 season

Memphis Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which revealed a torn right Achilles tendon, the team announced today.

Arthur (6-9, 235), who suffered the injury on Dec. 18, is scheduled to have surgery to repair the injury within one week and expected to be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season.

The 23-year-old averaged career highs in points (9.1), field goal percentage (.497), blocks (0.79) and minutes (20.1) in 80 games last season in his third NBA campaign. He posted 7.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 15.5 minutes during Memphis’ 13-game run in the 2011 Playoffs.

Selected by the New Orleans Hornets in the first round (27th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, the Dallas native owns career averages of 6.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.69 blocks on .468 shooting in 18.8 minutes in 188 games (73 starts), all with the Grizzlies.

Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur injured in practice

Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur left practice this morning with a serious Achilles injury and the fear is that he might be lost for the entire 2011-12 season, according to sources with knowledge of situation.

An early diagnosis by the team’s medical staff indicated that Arthur might have suffered a torn right Achilles. The 6-foot-9 reserve had just returned to practice after missing time with a sore left Achilles.

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Warriors sign guard Ish Smith off waivers

The Golden State Warriors have been awarded guard Ish Smith off of waivers, the team announced today.

Smith, 23, spent last season with the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies, appearing in 43 games (three starts) and averaging 2.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 10.3 minutes per contest. In three starting assignments, the 6’0” guard averaged 6.3 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.00 steals in 27.0 minutes.

Originally signed by Houston after a four-year career at Wake Forest, Smith was traded to Memphis along with Shane Battier in exchange for DeMarre Carroll, Hasheem Thabeet and a first-round draft pick on February 24, 2011. The Charlotte, NC, native appeared in five playoff games for Memphis.

Prior to being traded, Smith appeared in eight games (five starts) for Houston’s D-League affiliate, posting averages of 12.5 points, 7.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.50 steals and 1.25 blocks in 32.9 minutes for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Memphis Grizzlies waive center Mikki Moore

The Memphis Grizzlies waived center Mikki Moore, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

Moore (6-11, 225) holds career averages of 5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 557 games (181 starts) over a 12-year NBA career (1998-2010) with the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle SuperSonics, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.

The 36-year-old University of Nebraska product was originally signed by Memphis on Dec. 10, 2011.

Grizzlies re-sign center Marc Gasol to multi-year contract

The Memphis Grizzlies have re-signed center Marc Gasol to a multi-year contract, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. The deal is reportedly for four years, $57.7 million.

“We are very happy to re-sign Marc Gasol, who has been one of the pillars of the Grizzlies franchise since his arrival and a true ‘Memphis basketball player’ ever since his days at Lausanne,” Wallace said. “We are excited to keep him as part of our core group of players and to build on what this organization has already achieved for many years to come.”

Gasol (7-1, 265) posted 15.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.15 blocks in helping lead Memphis through a 13-game run through the 2011 NBA Playoffs, which included a first-round upset of the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs and a seven-game series with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 26-year-old finished second in the league in rebounds per game and third in blocks per game during the postseason.

During the 2010-11 regular season, Gasol averaged 11.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, a career-high 2.5 assists and 1.68 blocks in 81 games (all starts). Teaming with Zach Randolph, Gasol helped Memphis pace the NBA in points in the paint (51.5) for the second consecutive season.

The Barcelona, Spain native holds career averages of 12.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.44 blocks in 32.7 minutes in 232 games (225 starts) over three seasons in Memphis after his draft rights (48th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft) were acquired in a package from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for older brother Pau Gasol on Feb. 1, 2008. Memphis originally signed Marc on July 9, 2008.

Grizzlies waive guard Ish Smith

The Memphis Grizzlies waived guard Ish Smith, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

Smith (6-0, 175) averaged 2.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists on .374 shooting in 10.3 minutes in 43 total games (three starts) as a rookie last season with the Grizzlies and Houston Rockets.

The 23-year-old Wake Forest product posted 1.8 points and 1.0 assists in 7.5 minutes in 15 games with Memphis after being acquired on Feb. 24, 2011 from Houston.

Grizzlies waive center Jared Reiner

The Memphis Grizzlies waived Jared Reiner, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

Reiner, a 6-11, 255-pound center, holds NBA career averages of 1.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 46 games (four starts) over two seasons with the Chicago Bulls (2004-05) and Milwaukee Bucks (2006-07). The 29-year-old spent last season with BBC Bayreuth in Germany, where he recorded 12.6 points and 7.8 rebounds.