We’re a little more than two days away from the draft and rumors are percolating, most of them involving the Grizzlies and Heat in a possible deal for Michael Beasley.
Before I round up the most significant Griz-related rumors from around the web today, let me throw out a couple of tidbits of my own:
Over the past couple of days, I’ve heard from three different team-connected sources that something may be happening with Beasley. Mind you, these are all people without direct connection to any potential negotiations and no-one has quite the same tale to tell: One source says Mike Conley is included but not the #5 pick, another says Mike Miller is included but not Conley, and the third didn’t have any particulars but had the sense that something is afoot involving Beasley. I don’t put much stock into any of these tips individually, but, collectively, it’s clear that there’s a lot of scuttle about a potential Beasley deal surrounding the team.
On another note, with ESPN 730’s The Geoff and Gary Show off the air, I turned the radio on to Sports 56 this morning and heard George Lapides report that former Griz point guard Jason Williams has told local confidants he expects to return to the Grizzlies next season. I didn’t think much of this, but later in the morning I heard the exact same thing from someone unaware of the Lapides report. Apparently, Williams was in Memphis recently and did tell local friends he expects to be back.
J-Will: The Return?
Upon reflection, I don’t think this is as crazy as it appears. The people Williams appeared to have the most problems with during his last stint (aside from Geoff Calkins, anyway) were Pau Gasol and Mike Fratello, and they’re both gone. Williams apparently has a good relationship with Mike Miller (here for now) and, more importantly, Mike Heisley. If the Grizzlies did a draft-day trade that involved Conley or Kyle Lowry, then a veteran point guard would be a need next season. Williams, a free agent, is sure to be someone’s back-up next season, and probably for very cheap. Not totally crazy to think it could be in Memphis.
Now, some of the more notable Griz material around the web today:
ESPN.com’s Chad Ford leads with a Beasley-to-Grizzlies rumor in his draft column today:
One source told Insider that the Heat are revisiting trade talks with the Grizzlies. Insider reported several weeks ago that there was talk that Memphis would give up Mike Miller, Kyle Lowry and the No. 5 pick as part of a package for the No. 2 pick. The same source said the Heat are asking the Grizzlies to sweeten the deal by substituting Mike Conley for Lowry. The deal would be Conley and the No. 5 pick to Miami for the No. 2 pick and Daequan Cook.That trade would land Riley the point guard he covets and still get him a high lottery pick in the draft. The Heat would likely choose between Kevin Love or Brook Lopez at No. 5.
While the price is high for the Grizzlies, they have great depth at the point guard position and could afford to lose Conley. Memphis' biggest need is at the power forward position, and Beasley appears to be a once-in-a-decade talent at the 4 -- a perfect fit for a young and upcoming Memphis team.
It’s been interesting, though, to see how this scenario has evolved over the day, with Ford suggesting in an interactive mock draft with Bill Simmons a little later in the day a slightly different variation:
Mike Conley, Mike Miller & #5 for Udonis Haslim, Daequan Cook & #2
That deal, in particular, would be problematic for the Grizzlies: Giving up an awful lot and leaving the roster wildly out of balance.
Marty Burns at CNN/SI talks to Chris Wallace on the eve of the draft, passing along the suggestion that potentially adding Marc Gasol is the equivalent of a second lottery pick.
But, will Gasol stay with the Grizzlies. A Spanish report linked via Hoops Hype mentions the possibility of the Timberwolves trading for Gasol’s rights. I wonder if this could be part of three-team scenario designed to land the Grizzlies Beasley and the Heat Mayo.
CNN/SI’s Ian Thomsen offers the following notes on the Grizzlies draft:
5. Memphis Grizzlies: Word around the league has had the Grizzlies taking either Mayo or Love. One of them figures to be available at No. 5 barring one of these two scenarios: (1) Minnesota goes for Love and Seattle takes Mayo, or (2) a team trades up to the Nos. 3 or 4 for Love or Mayo.On Monday, however, I heard another rumor that Eric Gordon is the top choice here. Another alternative is Lopez
ESPN.com’s Andy Katz offers more testimony to the veracity of Chad Ford’s terrible, awful, no-good suggestion of a deal involving the #5 and Brian Cardinal for David Lee and an expiring contract:
• A potential deal with Memphis and New York apparently has some legs. The Knicks, who have the No. 6 pick, would get the Grizzlies' No. 5 pick and give David Lee and other considerations to Memphis. New York would then select UCLA's Russell Westbrook and Italy's Danilo Gallinari with its No. 5 and No. 6 picks. If Memphis selects UCLA's Kevin Love, that is a strong indicator that the Grizzlies are keeping the pick.
Finally, the Miami Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman continues to warn the Heat away from dealing Beasley in his fine blog.
CW would be foolish not to do a deal that would land Beasley. First of all, the Grizz have 3 quality PGs. Conley or Lowry could be traded. Miller is a slasher but is a natural SF not a SG so he overlaps Rudy. What I think would work: Miami's #2 and Blount for Conley & the #5 or Miami's #2 & Cook for Miller, Conley and Marc Gasol.
We have the best pieces for Miami. Seattle does not, MN doesn't either. CW can make a lasting draft that will finally get the Griz out of the bottom of the barrel.