Everybody likes the Grizzlies
Posted: Thursday June 04, 1998 01:53 PM
The Vancouver
Grizzlies have been a popular bunch at the NBA's pre-draft camp in
Chicago, where they have been entertaining offers for their No. 2 pick. If
they keep the pick, the Grizzlies have settled on Kansas star Paul Pierce,
but they would consider moving down and swapping picks--as long as a
veteran player is included in the package.
Sources tell me that Philadelphia offered Vancouver its No. 8 pick and Tim Thomas for the
No. 2, with an eye toward landing center Michael Olowokandi, but the
Grizzlies declined, since Thomas is still a young player who does many of
the same things on court as forward Shareef
Abdur-Rahim.
Vancouver has shown interest in unhappy Toronto veteran Doug Christie
and would consider grabbing Christie and the No. 4 pick for the No. 2, but
Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald told me he's looking in "other
directions." The Grizzlies, in the meantime, continue to pester the Suns
about point guard Steve Nash.
Clipper Karl?
Forget all the talk about Seattle holding George Karl to his contract until
July 1, thus preventing him from talking to other teams. Sonics general
manager Wally Walker told me Karl is free to negotiate with anyone he
wants, and Walker said that to Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor at the
pre-draft workouts. But as of Wednesday, Karl had not received a phone call
from the Clippers or anyone else. Sources close to Karl say he is intrigued
with the Clippers job, since rebuilding is his strength. Karl might be
interested to know free agent center Vlade Divac would
like to return to LA and would consider the Clippers--if they hire a proven
coach. Persistence pays
And now some notes from around the league: Kings general manager Geoff
Petrie has been courting European star Pedrag Stojakovic for the better
part of two years, and it finally paid off: On Wednesday, Stojakovic's
father notified Sacramento that his son will sign with them this week. ...
All eyes will be on forward Robert Traylor when he weighs in--literally--at
the Chicago pre-draft camp on Saturday. Word is that Traylor has dropped 25
pounds and is in tremendous shape. If so, his standing might improve. At
the moment he is projected to go somewhere between 8 and 13. … While you
should expect Del Harris to return as Lakers coach next season, general
manager Jerry West continues to insist to friends that he will resign on
August 1.
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