September 3, 2010

The Grizzlies report for Media Day Sept. 27 and begin training camp practices the next day, and still there is no movement on contract stalemates between the team and rookies Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez.

There have been little-to-no conversations between the sides since the Griz participated in Summer League in July. And while armchair NBA executives and agents have spent a lot of time talking about Henry's impasse and how unjust it is, the real victim arguably is Vasquez.

When, and if, the Grizzlies continue dialogue in an attempt to get the rookies signed, sealed and delivered to training camp, the team should consider lightening the incentive load Vasquez must meet in order to receive a 20-percent bonus.

The Griz offered both players 100 percent of their rookie salary scale. The team also asked that both players agree to an identical performance incentives in order to receive an added 20 percent:

$$ participation in summer league

$$ a two-week workout program with the team's training staff

$$ satisfy one of the following: play in NBA rookie/sophomore game at all-star or earn an all-rookie selection or average 15 minutes in at least 70 games.

These are not unreasonable measures for Henry. He'll be given every opportunity to contribute and satisfy one of the final three criteria because the Griz desperately need Henry's shooting; his skill set. But to ask the same of Vasquez is absurd.

Vasquez showed good faith by actually playing in summer league without a contract. Henry did not. Plus, the Griz went out and signed four-year veteran Acie Law amid concerns about Vasquez transition to the NBA after a shaky showing in Las Vegas.

It doesn't seem Vasquez will get a fair shot at earning 15 minutes a game in 70 appearances or make the rookie/sophomore game or all-rookie team.

Griz general manager Chris Wallace's response to this is Vasquez has the incentive to compete and beat out the competition. That sounds good. But starting point guard Mike Conley has a long leash and Law signed with the Griz because he likely was promised playing time.

Vasquez starts as the third-string PG and that's where he'll finish the season barring injury.

This incentive package just isn't fair bargaining for the situation Vasquez is in.

Sure, the Nuggets reportedly have informed at least five interested teams that Carmelo Anthony is not on the market. But should Denver get to the point where it realizes it's trade him or lose him, one team thought to have a real shot to land him via a sign-and-trade is the Nets.

Nets general manager Billy King steadfastly has maintained a "no comment" stance on any trade possibilities and did so again yesterday.

But the Nets have enough pieces, including 10 draft picks over three years and young players, to devise a trade for Anthony.

In recent years, that has been the way teams have gone if dealing franchise players -- seeking picks and cap relief over star power-for-star power deals. Whatever the price, it appears Brook Lopez would not be allowed to enter the equation and is the Nets' lone untouchable.

Should Denver gamble and keep Anthony, the Nets would be in position next summer with roughly $20 million in cap space to make a free-agency pitch.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets are telling teams they are not listening to any trades offers for Anthony. Of course, they never have really told anyone that they are trying to trade him.

"They have a new [management] team and the last thing they want to do is trade their best and most popular player," one executive with an opposing team said.

"It looks like they are trying to calm the waters [in Denver]," said another.

Normally, taking charge of a term-limited Nuggets roster might seem like a questionable career move for a basketball coach on a one-year contract.

But when the basketball coach is emerging from his second steel cage match with cancer in five years, getting back to work looks pretty good.

"It's official," George Karl said Thursday just before taking off for a long Labor Day weekend with family. "I've been cleared to go for it. My PET scan came back great."

There are no guarantees with cancer, of course. Two weeks before the PET scan that showed no signs of the squamous cell carcinoma he battled this year, Karl took his annual prostate test to make sure the cancer he beat five years ago has not returned.

"In three months, I'm going to have another PET scan," he said. "I'll probably have three or four more PET scans in the next year. And then the second year it won't be that many, it might be only two, but you've still got to go through them.