Xavier Henry injures ankle, to miss 4 weeks; Grizzlies say they won't trade Mayo
GRIZZLIES NOTEBOOK
Xavier Henry has a second-degree right ankle sprain and could miss up to four weeks.
Henry, who has partially torn ligaments in the ankle, said the team's athletic trainers told him an optimistic recovery time would be two weeks. The 6-6 guard was injured Monday when he stepped on a teammate's foot on a drive to the basket.
Henry missed practice Tuesday. He is wearing a walking boot and using crutches.
The situation presents another setback for Henry, who couldn't finish last season because of a knee injury.
"He worked hard this offseason and came back in great shape," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. "He was shooting the ball well. He had his health again. You just feel bad for a young fella when he has an unfortunate incident. He needs all of the court time he can get but he's going to be behind because of his injury."
Henry, the 12th pick in 2010, had been severely limited by right knee soreness since early March and couldn't contribute to the Grizzlies' historic playoff run.
The Grizzlies already were without guard Sam Young, who suffered a sprained right ankle two weeks before training camp began. However, Young could return before the end of the week.
Keeping Mayo
Griz management informed guard O.J. Mayo on Tuesday morning that he would not be traded anywhere for the foreseeable future. Then, general manager Chris Wallace placed a call to the Indiana Pacers and formally declined a proposal that would have sent Mayo there in a sign-and-trade deal for forward/center Josh McRoberts and Brandon Rush.
Mayo reacted with joy following the Grizzlies' practice, insisting that his heart has always been in Memphis.
"I'm home," Mayo said, smiling.
The Griz have seven guards under contract and still need another big man even after agreeing to terms with center Marc Gasol. But team owner Michael Heisley said he'd rather risk having little depth up front than gamble with Mayo's future.
"O.J. is an integral part of the team," Heisley said. "He's so well-liked by members of the team. He plays a very important role for us. There are always (trade) conversations that go on. This is part of the NBA. ...
"It never was a situation where we were not extremely determined to keep O.J. unless it was something that was much better for the team."
Murphy anyone?
The Griz were definitely opposed to accepting Rush and his $3 million from Indiana in that proposed deal for Mayo. Memphis is trying to remain under the league's $70 million luxury-tax threshold at Heisley's behest.
"I'm not paying the luxury tax because the revenue-sharing plan penalizes you if you get into the tax," Heisley said earlier this week. "We're going to be very careful (with spending)."
With McRoberts now reportedly headed to the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, the Griz are now pondering thrifty options to add a power forward/center.
There have been internal discussions about 31-year-old Troy Murphy.
The 6-11 Murphy spent most of his career with Golden State and Indiana. He last played for Boston after signing with the Celtics in March for the rest of the 2010-11 season.
Memphis also will take a hard look at journeymen Mikki Moore and Brian Skinner -- both of whom are participating in training camp.
New deadlines
The NBA informed teams that Jan. 25 is the deadline to pickup rookie contract options and agree to extensions.
Mayo and forward Darrell Arthur are eligible for contract extensions but likely won't receive one. Both are expected to become restricted free agents next summer if they finish the season with the Griz.
Team officials also must weigh picking up third-year options on Henry and point guard Greivis Vasquez. That process has been a formality in the past, with 2009 first-round pick DeMarre Carroll being a recent exception.
Vasquez and Henry would become unrestricted free agents after this summer if the Griz don't pick up their options.
Haddadi update
Reserve center Hamed Haddadi still isn't in the country.
The 7-footer from Iran is working through visa issues that Griz officials said could take some time. Meanwhile, Haddadi has a $2 million qualifying offer on the table. There is some confusion as to whether Haddadi can legally accept the offer given he hasn't yet been granted permission to enter the country.
Haddadi would become an unrestricted free agent if the Griz rescinded the qualifying offer. Accepting the qualifying offer means Haddadi would play this season with the Griz for $2million and then become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Must-see TV
The Griz announced Tuesday that 64 of their 66 regular-season games will be televised on SportSouth.
For the second consecutive season, the complete television slate will be available in high definition, including the season opener Dec. 26 at San Antonio.
SportSouth will broadcast 32 of the Grizzlies' 33 road games.
Play-by-play broadcaster Pete Pranica returns for his eighth season with the Griz and seventh as the television voice. Sean Tuohy and former Griz point guard Brevin Knight will split time as color analysts. Rob Fischer also returns as the sideline reporter for all Griz telecasts.
