F Mike Batiste, a restricted free agent, has signed a contract to play for Panathinaikos in Greece during the 2003-04 season, The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported Aug. 12. The Grizzlies tendered Batiste a qualifying offer after the 2002-03 season, and could have matched other NBA offers within 15 days. But Batiste reportedly would have been waived because of the emergence of F Theron Smith.
The Grizzlies had nineteen players. They needed to dump five of them. I don't know why West even tried to offer him a contract. The Grizzlies still have to dump four guys.