Grizzlies Eye Barnes & Udoka <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With their need for frontcourt help mostly addressed by the signing of Darko Milicic, the Grizzlies have turned their attention toward adding perimeter shooting and defense. Memphis has inquired about free agent swingmen Ime Udoka (Portland) and Matt Barnes (Golden State) as options in those areas. Both players are unrestricted free agents, meaning they can sign with any team without their former team having a right to match the deal. Spanish guard Juan Carlos Navarro, whose rights belong to the Washington Wizards, is also a player of interest for the Grizzlies. But striking a deal with Washington and satisfying the $3 million-plus salary Navarro would command is looking like a long shot for the Griz. "We've made our inquiries but I can't put any definitive odds on whether we can acquire him," Griz general manager Chris Wallace said. Meanwhile, Navarro told a European publication that "the Memphis thing is complicated. Pau (Gasol) wants me there no matter what, but there are other teams ahead." It's difficult to discern which team is the leading candidate to land Udoka's services. Udoka's agent, Erin Cowan, told the Portland Tribune that he is dealing with at least three teams. San Antonio is believed to be interested in Udoka, whose skill set is in the mold of Bruce Bowen. </div> Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Griz have 11 players under contract. Following Tuesday's introduction of Milicic, Wallace said the Griz would add only two additional players. He added that the process had no timetable. </div> That's the part of the article that caught my eye. I guess that means they'll be bringing Sergei Lishouk over this season from Ukraine and keep a spot on the roster empty to give them more freedom to explore trade possibilities during the season. I guess this is their depth chart heading into the season if they can sign Barnes and Udoka - PG - Lowry/Conley, Jr./Stoudamire SG - Miller/Kinsey SF - Gay/Barnes/Udoka PF - Milicic/Warrick/Cardinal C - Gasol/Swift/Lishouk That lineup still needs a backup SG, but if we can land both Barnes and Udoka, I think at the worst we'll be an upper-lottery team, meaning a team that just misses the playoffs. A lot of people don't realize the talent this squad had last season. Gasol and Lowry were out for most of the season, and then the Grizzlies legitimately tanked, starting no-talents like Alexander Johnson and Tarence Kinsey. Completely healthy, playing Iavaroni-style basketball, and giving 100% effort, last year's team wouldn't have been a stretch for the playoffs, and that roster didn't even have Milicic or Conley, Jr. on it.
