<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Damon Stoudamire is still trying to extricate himself from the Memphis Grizzlies via buyout, knowing that the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns are hot to sign him. But a third team has emerged as a sleeper to land Stoudamire if the little guard can indeed come to terms with the Grizz on a settlement this month. Stoudamire, according to NBA front-office sources, is intrigued by the idea of signing with the Toronto Raptors and returning to the franchise that drafted him and gave him the platform to win Rookie of the Year honors in 1995-96. Sources say Boston remains the A-1 favorite to sign Stoudamire and add much-needed depth to its backcourt if he does become a free agent. And Phoenix is still a strong contender given the Suns' need for someone to ease the regular-season burden on Steve Nash, Stoudamire's University of Arizona connections and time as a teammate in Portland with Suns general manager Steve Kerr. But don't discount a coming-full-circle return to Canada, with the Raptors forced to look at other point guards thanks to the ongoing absence of T.J. Ford. A hard hit from Atlanta's Al Horford on Dec. 11 knocked Ford to the floor, sidelining him indefinitely and adding to Ford's lengthy history of hard falls and lengthy absences related to spinal problems. Ford is in Houston working with longtime NBA coach and player John Lucas, who also assisted in Ford's recovery from the spinal-cord injury in Milwaukee that cost him the entire 2004-05 season, but no timetable for a return this time has been established. So with only half of its potent tag team at the point available -- Jose Calderon -- Toronto has been investigating its options. Yet there's likewise no guarantee that Stoudamire will be able to secure the buyout he's seeking before the Feb. 21 trading deadline. The Grizzlies could elect to hang onto Stoudamire and delay a buyout until after the deadline to see if they can strike a palatable swap for him -- with Denver also interested -- but the sides are talking as the 33-year-old continues to push for an earlier exit. After starting the season as the Grizzlies' starter at the point, Stoudamire hasn't played since Dec. 30 and the emergence of rookie Mike Conley. He's earning $4.35 million this season and is due to make $4.65 million in 2008-09, with only half of next season's salary guaranteed. It remains to be seen how much Stoudamire -- who's played for Toronto, Portland and Memphis in a 13-year career -- would have to surrender for the right to pick his next destination.</div> <div align="center">Source: ESPN.com</div>
Boston wants him, so Boston will get him. I think he's just using the possibility of Phoenix or Toronto as leverage, re: Grant Hill (though I know Mouse won't sign for more than the minimum, just maybe he'll get a verbal guarantee from the Celtics for a summer contract).
i hope he comes, because even if ford comes back, we can use him at the 2 guard and use Dixon less and even trade Dixon and graham for a good big man, and then Ukic comes next year to shore up our PG situation
