Grizzlies in search of depth
Free agents taking their shots to help Memphis
By Ronald Tillery, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Monday, May 11, 2009

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace's prediction is that there could be up to four new reserves on the roster next season.

At least a couple of those different faces may be familiar.

Michael Dickerson will attempt a comeback with the Grizzlies.

Veteran NBA guard Michael Dickerson, who retired from the Griz in 2003 due to injury, and former University of Memphis guard Darius Washington are expected to be among the more 20 participants in the Grizzlies' free-agent camp that starts today and runs through Wednesday.

Iowa Energy guard Othyus Jeffers, the NBA Developmental League Rookie of the Year, is another intriguing prospect the Griz invited to the two-a-day sessions.

Wallace said the camp is the first step in identifying talent to immediately improve the Grizzlies' bench.

"We've got to upgrade our bench," Wallace said. "We've got to get more firepower. There's no question about that. We're also going to look at other NBA teams and be very involved in the draft, and trading. Right now, we're looking forward to seeing if any of these guys can emerge. We've got a good group coming in."

Initially, all eyes will be on Dickerson and Washington.

Dickerson attempted a comeback before the start of this season when he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers' training camp. But Dickerson was waived several days into camp after asking for time off to deal with a personal matter.

Dickerson played four seasons with the Grizzlies after being traded from the Houston Rockets in 1999. He appeared in just 10 regular-season games over two seasons in Memphis because of an inability to recover from a severe hamstring/groin injury.

Griz coach Lionel Hollins has worked with Dickerson and Washington. Hollins is intrigued by Washington after coaching him during the Las Vegas summer league while an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. Washington has bounced around between the NBA (San Antonio in 2007) and overseas (most recently Russia) since going undrafted in 2006.

Jeffers ranked among the D-League's top 10 in scoring, rebounding and steals last season. The 6-5 guard averaged 21 points on 53-percent shooting to go with 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals.

"Lionel and I are believers in these kinds of camps," Wallace said. "We believe in trying to find hungry, up-and-coming guys who haven't stuck yet."

NBA veterans Bruce Bowen, Voshon Lenard, Ike Austin, Adrian Griffin and Mark Blount are notable players who have earned contracts after participating in a free-agent camp.

It is just as likely, though, that there will be no significant development from the camp. The Griz may simply ask a player or two to attend summer league or training camp.