Grizzlies Weigh Need vs. Talent in Draft

Memphis is in great need of perimeter shooting and help at point guard. But who knows what talent will be available to the Griz at the end of the first round. (Chris) Wallace, though, is confident he can reel in a player capable of helping the team next season.

“It’s going to come down to the classic dilemma of whether you take need or talent and upside at what wouldn’t be deemed a need position,” Wallace said. “The further you go back in the draft the more you look for one thing that’s a real identifiable, certified NBA characteristic a guy has — whether its shooting, athleticism, rebounding, whatever — something that will enable a guy to get on the court.”

Last season, the Griz grabbed Kansas freshman Josh Selby with the 49th pick in the second round, in large part because of his athleticism and raw scoring ability. Now, the organization is trying to determine which guard position Selby will play.

via Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Pacers to Bring Back Donnie Walsh?

There’s a possibility that former CEO Donnie Walsh will return to the franchise in some capacity, multiple sources told The Star.

It’s uncertain what role Walsh will play with the franchise.

That question should be answered next week when team owner Herb Simon returns to Indianapolis for meetings to help clear up the team’s murky front office situation.

Walsh has attended some of the Pacers predraft workouts at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, according to sources.

via Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star

Brandon Roy Ready for a Comeback

The rumors are true, and for better or worse, Brandon Roy is going to give it another go. Roy’s friend Will Conroy said on Twitter that he and Roy were together answering questions Friday night, and provided photo evidence.

Roy retired this season due to his knee condition which robbed him of most of his games over the past three seasons. But Roy has hinted more than once in media interviews over the past six months that he intends to make a comeback. And if the conversation with Twitter via his friend Conroy actually was him, he confirmed the rumors. Brandon Roy wants back in the game.

Perkins Believes Garnett Will Return

Oklahoma City center Kendrick Perkins said he has talked with former Celtics teammate Kevin Garnett and believes the 17-year veteran wants to return to the NBA next season.

Garnett did not speak with the media after the Celtics’ Game 7 loss to the Heat June 9 and has given no hint of his plans next season. He hugged Doc Rivers after exiting Game 7 and gave the coach a pat on the head, moving Rivers nearly to tears.

Garnett is an unrestricted free agent and could re-sign with the Celtics or test the market and be courted by teams for the first time in his career. Garnett has never been an unrestricted free agent.

“I feel like if he does return to basketball, I think that that would be the team,’’ Perkins said of the Celtics. “I heard Kevin say a few times that he wouldn’t want to play for anybody but Doc, so it will be interesting to see. I still think he got a lot more years in him. He got a lot of love for the game and it would be hard to see Kevin walk away from the game right now.’’

via Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe

Phoenix Suns Looking for Talent at #13

The Suns might need the franchise’s next point guard soon. They also are putting a priority on finding a wing scorer who can create his own shot.

Those are needs, but the Suns’ most glaring need after missing consecutive postseasons for the first time in 24 years is talent. Saturday’s draft workout at US Airways Center made it clear that a talent influx also could come in the form of another big man, despite drafting power forward Markieff Morris last year, returning Channing Frye and Marcin Gortat and planning to retain restricted free agent Robin Lopez.

The Suns close workouts and do not announce or comment on visiting prospects, but league sources revealed that on Saturday they hosted an impressive group of big men who are all first-round candidates. The workout featured North Carolina’s John Henson and Tyler Zeller, Illinois’ Meyers Leonard, Baylor’s Perry Jones and Mississippi State’s Arnett Moultrie, as well as Vanderbilt small forward Jeffery Taylor.

via Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic

Bucks, Jennings Yet to Discuss Extension?

The Bucks have yet to have any in-depth discussions with Bill Duffy about extending Brandon Jennings’ contract. Duffy represents the Bucks’ starting point guard.

via Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal-Times

Sund Likely to Remain with Hawks

Hawks general manager Rick Sund is likely to remain with the franchise after his contract expires at the end of this month but his future role in the front office still isn’t clear.

Sund said he’s still in discussions with Hawks co-owners Bruce Levenson and Michael Gearon Jr. about continuing to work for the Hawks in some capacity beyond the draft.

“All I’m going to say is Bruce and I are kicking around a few ideas and when something gets totally resolved we will let you know,” Sund said today after the team worked out draft prospects.

via Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution