Memphis Grizzlies Blog – Page 65 – NBA Blog

Bulls sign-and-trade Hakim Warrick to Suns

The Phoenix Suns today acquired forward Hakim Warrick in a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls. In exchange, Chicago receives the Suns’ second-round pick in 2011. Warrick has signed a four-year contract. We’ll post contract details later today.

“Hakim is a player we have watched perform well against us for years,” said Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry. “He is a long, athletic player who runs the floor and finishes well. We feel, given the opportunity, and playing alongside veterans like Steve Nash and Grant Hill, he can be a productive member of our rotation.”

The 6-9, 219-pound Warrick is an athletic finisher who owns career averages of 10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 21.4 minutes in 383 games with three NBA teams. Originally selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 19th overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft, Warrick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Grizzlies before splitting the 2009-10 campaign between Milwaukee and Chicago.

Warrick has averaged double-digit scoring in three of his last four seasons overall, including a career-high 12.7 points and career-best 5.1 rebounds in 82 games during his best career season in 2006-07 with the Grizzlies. Most recently, the 28-year-old averaged 9.6 points and 4.1 boards in 76 games last season split between the Bucks and Bulls after being acquired by Chicago along with Joe Alexander in exchange for John Salmons and two future second-round picks at the trade deadline.

A perfect fit for the Suns’ up-tempo system, in 15 career meetings with Phoenix, Warrick has averaged 13.3 points in 27.5 minutes while shooting 58.1 percent from the field, all three of which are his highest against any NBA opponent. Warrick has also grabbed 6.4 rebounds in his career against the Suns, his second-most against any NBA team.

A four-year performer at Syracuse University (2001-05), Warrick started all 35 games for the NCAA Champion Orange as a sophomore. As a senior, he was named First Team All-America by the Associated Press, awarded Big East Conference Player of the Year and named First Team All-Big East after averaging 21.4 points and 8.6 rebounds in 34 games.

Grizzlies re-sign Rudy Gay

The Memphis Grizzlies have re-signed forward Rudy Gay to a multi-year contract, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. We’ll post contract details this afternoon.

“It’s a great day for the Grizzlies franchise to re-sign Rudy Gay,” Wallace said. “Rudy has been a cornerstone of our team for the past four seasons and was one of the top stars in perhaps the greatest free agent class in NBA history. We’re very excited for him to continue his professional career in the city of Memphis.”

Gay, a 6-8, 230-pound forward, ranked second in scoring (19.6 points, T-18th in the NBA) while setting career highs in field goal percentage (.466), steals (1.48) and minutes (39.7, 3rd) for a Grizzlies team that was the second-most improved team in the NBA last season behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Currently Memphis’ longest-tenured player, the four-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.25 steals in 35.3 minutes in 318 career games (282 starts), all with the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies’ third all-time leading scorer (5,538 points), Gay also ranks in the Top 10 in franchise history in rebounds (1,756, 8th), field goals made (2,118, 3rd), three-point field goals made (337, 4th), steals (398, 3rd), minutes (11,223, 6th), games played (8th) and games started (4th).

“I’m grateful to the Grizzlies organization for giving me the opportunity to continue my NBA career in Memphis,” Gay said. “We really got some momentum going last year under Coach (Lionel) Hollins, and I hope our fans are as excited as I am to see us build on that, continue to improve and achieve our goals for seasons to come. I embrace the opportunity to continually evolve in this leadership role – on and off the court.”

A member of the 2010-12 Team USA Men’s National Team Program, Gay has proven to be one of the NBA’s top young scorers over his career. Last season, the 23-year-old ranked fourth in the league in scoring average behind Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Chicago’s Derrick Rose and Sacramento’s Tyreke Evans among players age 23 or younger. The Baltimore, Md. native is one of five NBA players including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Andre Iguodala with at least 4,500 total points (4,692) and 300 total steals (327) over the last three seasons.

Memphis acquired Gay’s draft rights (eighth overall in the 2006 NBA Draft) along with Stromile Swift from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Shane Battier on July 12, 2006. In his final season at the University of Connecticut, Gay was named a 2005-06 First-Team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and was one of four finalists for the Naismith National Player of the Year Award as a sophomore.

Grizzlies waive Lester Hudson

The Memphis Grizzlies have waived guard Lester Hudson, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

“We wanted to give Lester an opportunity to hook up with another team at the start of free agency,” Wallace said. “Unfortunately, with the draft day additions of guards Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez, it would have been difficult for Lester to get minutes in our backcourt. We wish him the best.”

The 6-3, 190-pound guard averaged 2.3 points and 0.7 rebounds in 5.2 minutes in 25 games as a rookie last season with the Boston Celtics and the Grizzlies. The 25-year-old Memphis native posted 4.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.8 minutes in nine games for the Grizzlies, who claimed Hudson off waivers on Jan. 8, 2010 after he was released by the Celtics on Jan. 6.

Hudson, who was assigned to the NBA Development League’s Dakota Wizards and Maine Red Claws last season, was selected by Boston with the 58th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft.

Grizzlies will re-sign Rudy Gay

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports:

The Memphis Grizzlies and restricted free-agent Rudy Gay have agreed in principle on a five-year contract, The Commercial Appeal has learned.

Multiple NBA sources indicated that Gay will sign the deal on or soon after July 8 when teams are allowed to finalize contracts.

Gay’s starting salary will be the maximum allowed a player with his experience – projected to be roughly $13.3 million – according to sources.

Gay, 23, was supposed to visit the Minnesota Timberwolves this afternoon but canceled the trip. The 6-8 forward will not visit any potential suitors.

Grizzlies make qualifying offer to Rudy Gay

The Memphis Grizzlies have made a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Rudy Gay, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. Per team policy, financial terms were not released.

Gay, a 6-8, 230-pound forward, placed second on the Grizzlies in scoring last season (19.6 points, T-18th in the NBA) while posting 5.9 rebounds and a career-high 1.48 steals in a career-high 39.7 minutes (3rd) in 80 games (all starts) last season. The four-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.25 steals in 35.3 minutes in 318 career games (282 starts), all with the Grizzlies.

Currently Memphis’ longest-tenured player, the 23-year-old ranks in the Top 10 in franchise history in points (5,538, 3rd), rebounds (1,756, 8th), field goals made (2,118, 3rd), three-point field goals made (337, 4th), steals (398, 3rd), games played (8th) and games started (4th). Memphis acquired Gay’s draft rights (eighth overall in the 2006 NBA Draft) along with Stromile Swift from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Shane Battier on July 12, 2006.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent, the team must tender the player a qualifying offer on or prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team but is subject to a right of first refusal with the team for which the player last played.

Grizzlies trade draft rights of Dominique Jones to Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have acquired the draft rights to Dominique Jones from the Memphis Grizzlies for cash considerations. Jones was originally the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies.

Jones (6-4, 215) finished his three-year career at South Florida ranked fifth in career scoring (1,797 points), first in free throws attempted (615) and fifth in both field goals made (592) and attempted (1,339). He was named First Team All-Big East as a junior when he averaged 21.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

The Lake Wales, Fla., native led the Bulls in scoring all each of his three years. He was an honorable mention All-American and a finalist for both the Wooden Award and Naismith Award as a junior and was the only player in the nation to average at least 21 points, six rebounds and three assists per contest. He ranked second in the Big East (15th in the nation) in scoring in his final season with South Florida.

“We are excited to add Dominique to our organization,” President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. “He is 6-4 with a 6-9 wingspan and can do a little of everything. He can score, he can rebound and his assist-to-turnover ratio is exceptional.”

Grizzlies admit they should have drafted DeJuan Blair

Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports:

Mike Heisley admits the Grizzlies blew it on draft night last year.

No, not by taking Hasheem Thabeet with their first pick in the draft. By passing on DeJuan Blair with their second one.

“We should have taken him,” Heisley said. “He was 15th on our list. But sometimes, in the heat of the moment, you get derailed. We got swayed by some discussions with the doctors. This year, we’re going to take the guy who is next on our list or someone is going to have to do a very good job explaining to me why we’re not.”

Grizzlies lose top FedExForum executive

Marlon W. Morgan of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports:

Memphis Grizzlies president of business operations Greg Campbell says he regrets the loss of senior vice president of arena operations Steve Zito, who has resigned effective July 9 to become president of sports and entertainment for Andy Frain Services.

But it’s the imprints that Zito leaves behind that have Campbell confident the Grizzlies will move forward. Zito had been with the Grizzlies for five years, Andy Frain provides security at various sports venues across the country.

“You always hate to lose a great, great player on any team,” Campbell said Tuesday. “But it sounds like he’s got a great opportunity to use his wisdom wisely at a number of places around the country. It’s going to be sad, but you’ve got to be happy for him, too.”

Rudy Gay tries boxing training

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports:

Rudy Gay might not be a member of the proposed, star-studded free-agent summit of 2010.

But he plans to be a heavyweight next season.

The Grizzlies’ soon-to-be restricted free agent forward has engaged in a training regime earmarked for boxers since the regular season ended. Gay, who is about to enter his fifth NBA season, has taken his offseason workout to another level as he prepares for a USA Basketball training camp next month and a possible maximum contract offer when free agency begins July 1.

“I’m not fighting anyone,” Gay said this weekend when reached by phone. “I’m going through the training. There’s no more in-shape athlete than a boxer.”

Gay said he picked up the idea of training like a boxer from other NBA players such as Cuttino Mobley, Al Harrington, David West and Manu Ginobili.

Grizzlies statement on Zach Randolph involvement in drug investigation

The Memphis Grizzlies released the following statement today from Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Chris Wallace, regarding media reports about forward Zach Randolph being implicated in an Indianapolis drug investigation.

“Since Zach Randolph joined this organization, he has been an active member of the Memphis community and embraced our core values of hard work and leadership. These qualities helped him develop into an NBA All-Star this season and guided one of the NBA’s youngest teams to a 16-game improvement.

“Zach’s continued commitment to the team has been evident the last couple of weeks as he’s been working out with members of our staff on the West Coast.

“Due to the ongoing police investigation, we do not feel it would be appropriate to comment further. Unless some other information surfaces, Zach remains a valued member of the Grizzlies family and Memphis community.”