Yes, I also have visited Cleveland many times, and there is a reason they call it the "mistake by the lake". However, if you are Varejao, would there be much difference between Cleveland and Memphis? Maybe he's a big fan of the blues and Stax. I guess anything is possible.

I like the idea of a "defensive" center like Haywood. It just seems that Washington is really shopping Etan Thomas for a reason - it seems that Haywood fits into their plans, too.

Free agency blows. Especially this year.

Navarro is a good 1/2 guard who can really shoot it and is from Spain. He has played really well in some of the international tournaments and made a name for himself. He and Oau are good friends, so I think Pau has probably lobbied Wallace to get him. Could we use him - yeah, I think he's be a good backup for Mike Miller. Another shooter would be great. But do we really want to take on Etan Thomas's contract?

Who is this Navarro guy?

Today's Wash Post says the Griz have inquired about trading for the rights of Navarro, but the Wizards appear willing to do so only if we take Etan Thomas(3 years & 20 mil) as well. It might be worth it if doesn't cost us any of our starters.

Overpaying in free agency worked well with Brian Cardinal. Darko wants 10 mil. Should we pay that? Actualy, overpaying in free agency is rampant. The Bulls did it with Ben Wallace. Denver did it with Kenyon Martin. There are other examples. Sometimes it works out. Many times it doesn't. Overpaying Varejao within limits may be worth it (I like the idea of creating a front heavy contract). But paying 8 mil or more a year on a back up center is not worth it. We might as well as spend a little bit more on a star like Gerald Wallace (then perhpas seek a trade. I like the idea of going after Kurt Thomas and his 1-year contract).

By the way, I've been to Cleveland, and it pretty much sucks. Plus, Varejao would get starters minutes here as opposed to being a back up to big Z and Gooden in Cleveland. At the very least our efforts may force the Cavs to overpay for Varejao just like we did when we pursued Nocioni and the Bulls overpaid for him.

The point about overpaying in free agency is right, which is one reason I'm not a big fan of free agency as an avenue for team building.

If I'm running the Grizzlies, I'm looking for my core players in the draft or via trade and I'm bargain-hunting in free agency. I'm looking for something like Earl Watson, who Grizzlies fans may not remember fondly, but who was a bargain for what the Grizzlies were paying at the time. I'm looking to pay players based on previous production but get a greater return than that when those players get better. Hard to see that happening with the players the team is currently looking at given the prices they seem to be commanding.

For that reason, I'd look to trade to add a defensive big man. Someone like Brendan Haywood at Washington is available and might be a good fit. I'd offer Washington Stro and a (highly) protected future pick for Haywood and the rights to Navarro and see if they'd bite. Or, with our cap room, maybe try to get Haywood for just a couple of second round picks. Washington would lose an expendable player and free up money they'd need to resign guys like Arenas, Jamison, or Blatche. The cap room can be helpful in acquiring players via trade as much as via free agency.

Or I'd look for other expendable players on other teams that might find a role here. If not for the style we want to play, Jackie Butler in San Antonio might be a player to target. Paul Millsap in Utah is absolutely a player I'd try to get, but that would take Mike Miller to make that happen.

I think the comment that the Grizz should sign Varejao at a "reasonable price" is an interesting one. I don't always agree with Verno, but he said the other day on his show that the Grizz are going to have to overpay free agents because otherwise there is no incentive for free agents to come to Memphis. As hard as it might be to swallow, I begrudgingly agree. What reason does Varejao have to come here? Playing with Pau? He's got LeBron. The nightlife? The huge Brazilian population? The ribs? Please. Being on a title contender? His team (out of the East) went to the finals last year! No, the only reason why somebody like Varejao comes to Memphis is the money. Face it. Accept it. Either overpay, trade an asset for a big man or pick up a guy without the skills or potential of Varejao. Or say, "well, we tried, and we offered him a reasonable contract, but he turned us down", suck it up, play really fast next year, score a lot of points and rank 30th in rebounding.

Mihm might be ok at a decent price. However, he's basically best suited as a back-up center on good team.

Sweatney was used by the Bulls for his offensive skills in the post. However, his lack of conditioning and inept understanding of the game led to limted minutes. I don't see him panning out as much of a player in this league.

Moore is basically the 9th or maybe 8th man in the rotation on a good team.

Darko can't have that much potential if teams are letting him go without much of anything in return -- first the Pistons and now the magic.

Varejao makes the most sense to me if he comes at a reasonable price. He's the only big man free agent that I can see having any success defending the likes of Duncan, Boozer, or Garnett. In addition to being an energy guy and a hustler, he has a habit of getting under people's skin, which I think is a good quality in a role player (look at Bruce Bowen). I imagine opposing big men don't like playing against him (look at Rasheed Wallace). Pau, by contrast, has the opposite affect.

I like that the Grizzlies seem to be taking their time with free agency. There is no rush given that the two other teams with cap space are busy trying to re-sign their own players (Bucks = Williams; Cats = Wallace).