[OrangeJuiceJonesParticipant]

It has been a week since Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley cleared the way for his rookies to sign contracts.

But Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez have yet to officially sign, despite Heisley’s decision to remove performance incentives from the team’s offer.

General manager Chris Wallace said Thursday that both contracts will be finalized by Monday when the team hosts media day. Training camp practices begin Tuesday in Memphis.

"It’s a procedural thing," Wallace said. "I’m confident it’ll get done. There are I’s to dot and T’s to cross in every contract. There’s nothing adversarial right now. It just has to do with language. And we didn’t get started on it until earlier this week."

There are a couple of reasons to believe Wallace’s optimism.

Vasquez has routinely visited FedExForum for rehabilitation on his surgically repaired ankle. Henry arrived in town last weekend and has worked out regularly in FedExForum since the contract stalemate ended with agreements in principle.

The Grizzlies and their rookies had argued over contract details since the June NBA draft.

Heisley originally insisted that the rookies accept 100 percent of the rookie salary scale with an added 20 percent tied to performance bonuses. Both players, via their agents, rejected those terms. Their argument was based on history that showed first-round draft picks generally received 120 percent of the league’s rookie salary scale without performance incentives.

Heisley eventually relented, saying he was on the wrong side of the issue.

Wallace reiterated that the Griz have not changed their stance.

"The heavy lifting is behind us," Wallace said Thursday.

Meanwhile, Wallace worked to finalize the Grizzlies’ training camp roster.

Team executives and coaches watched veteran power forward Kenny Thomas work out Wednesday morning in FedExForum. The prevailing opinion was that Thomas appeared to be in excellent shape and ready to contribute.

"We’re hoping he comes to camp," Wallace said of Thomas, 33. "He’s at a position of potential need. He’s proven. He’s been around. He’s a good veteran."

The Grizzlies have just two legitimate power forwards under contract in Zach Randolph and Darrell Arthur. Thomas, 6-7, is an 11-year player whose career included stints with Houston, Philadelphia and Sacramento.

Whether Heisley will allow the Griz to carry the league-maximum 15 players during the regular season is a different story. The Griz have 14 guaranteed contracts, with Thomas potentially competing with fellow NBA veterans Luke Jackson and Damien Wilkins for the last spot.

The Griz also signed Tre Kelley, a well-traveled journeyman guard out of South Carolina, to a training camp deal because Vasquez will miss the first two weeks due to his recovery from ankle surgery.

Coach Lionel Hollins said any added veteran presence in training camp will be a plus toward the Grizzlies’ goal of improving on last season.

"When you watch the workouts, the ball moves better, and there’s more communication," Hollins said. "The guys who have been in the league have learned to talk, and they know the game. It’s experience, and it’s nice to have those guys around. Hopefully, we’ll have three or four of them."

 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/24/griz-rookies-close/

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<Insert face-palm picture here>

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

I understand why the process of signing rookies in the NFL is so drawn-out (because it’s ridiculous), but in the NBA you’re not deciding whether to give a 6 year/$37 million deal with $21 million guaranteed, you’re given a reasonable number for the pick (about $2 million for Henry) and you can give them anything within 20% of that number. 20% of that comparatively small number. It’s crazy how long this has taken and it reflects poorly on the organization after they just gave Rudy Gay an $82 million contract. Both picks were great and arguably steals, I can’t understand why it’s taken so long. 

[gainsey15Participant]

 Because Grizzlies ownership is a joke, they have been since Jerry West left.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

will the agents for players in the 2011 draft ..

stop their players from working out with the grizzlies?

becuz of this foolishness?

[marcusfizer21Participant]

Like I said, Xavier Henry looks good in a Bulls uniform…

[aarondsonixfanParticipant]

umm they signed both of them…

 

http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies_sign_henry_vasquez-100924.html

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