<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Damon Stoudamire and the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday reached a verbal agreement on a contract buyout that likely will make him a free agent next week, according to NBA front-office sources. Damon Stoudamire Stoudamire The buyout is scheduled to be made official Monday, sources said. After the Grizzlies formally release him, Stoudamire would then have to clear a 48-hour waiver period before choosing his new team. But the 33-year-old is expected to go unclaimed. Elite teams such as the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns have already registered strong interest in Stoudamire, with the Celtics ranking as the favorite to land him, according to sources. But ESPN.com reported earlier this week that Stoudamire is also 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 NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 1995-96. The Celtics, with no depth at the position behind the inexperienced Rajon Rondo, have been widely expected to add a veteran point guard at the first opportunity. The Suns are equally hopeful of landing the former University of Arizona star to ease the regular-season burden on two-time MVP Steve Nash, but realistically don't have as much playing time to offer as the Celtics do. The Denver Nuggets are another team expected to make a strong pitch to sign Stoudamire after losing Chucky Atkins to a long-term injury. The Raptors, meanwhile, have to reinforce what they had considered their strongest position because of the continued 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 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 has been established. So with only half of its potent tag team at the point available -- Jose Calderon -- Toronto has been investigating its options. After beginning 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 was due to make $4.65 million in 2008-09, with only half of next season's salary guaranteed. Although terms of the buyout weren't immediately available, it's believed that Memphis was asking Stoudemire to surrender a significant portion of next season's guaranteed $2.3 million to secure his release. Memphis initially resisted Stoudamire's push for a buyout, hoping instead that it would get a good trade offer from one of the interested suitors before the Feb. 21 trading deadline. But the Grizzlies relented when they found their trade possibilities underwhelming.</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3215868 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Memphis Grizzlies and guard Damon Stoudamire have reached a verbal agreement on a contract buyout, according to a published report Saturday. According to the report in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the buyout is expected to happen Monday at which time the veteran point guard will become a free agent. Stoudamire will then have to clear a 48-waiver period before signing. Stoudamire is expected to draw plenty of interest around the league with the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns likely to vie for his services. There also are reports Stoudamire may land with the Toronto Raptors, the franchise he was drafted by and won Rookie of the Year honors with in 1995-96. Making $4.35 million this season and due $4.65 million in 2008-09, Stoudamire hasn't played since December 30 due to the emergence of rookie Mike Conley. Stoudamire, 33, is averaging 7.5 points and 4.3 assists in 29 games this season. The 5-10, 174-pounder owns career averages of 13.8 points and 6.3 assists</div> http://sportstwo.com/NBA/Story/NBA/1581446
Golden State or Boston will be a perfect fit but the guy will go where the money is, always has and always will.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GM3 @ Jan 26 2008, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Golden State or Boston will be a perfect fit but the guy will go where the money is, always has and always will.</div> But if he signs with Boston, it'd only be through the rest of this season anyway. So, he can sign with us next week, try and tag along for a championship, and go to the highest bidder this summer. It's an ideal situation for both Stoudamire and the Celtics. Go get him, Danny.
