Following news that floor leader Mike Conley would be missing the next 6-8 weeks due a transverse process fracture in the vertebrae, the Memphis Grizzlies are looking to add some point guard depth to what was an already thin rotation. Some of the names that have been floated around in the wake of Mike Conley’s injury include Norris Cole, Mario Chalmers, Kendall Marshall, Toney Douglas and Will Bynum.
According to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders, the Memphis Grizzlies have expressed interest in Norris Cole. The former Miami Heat point guard is in the middle of a stint in China with the Shandong Golden Tigers. As noted by the report, Norris Cole has an opt out clause in his contract that would allow him to return to the NBA. It is also important to note that Norris Cole has a history with Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale when both were members of the Miami Heat.
Grizzlies have expressed interest in Norris Cole to fill the void of injured starter Mike Conley, a league source told Basketball Insiders.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) November 29, 2016
The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Memphis Grizzlies will be working out free agent point guards. That list includes Kendall Marshall, Toney Douglas and Will Bynum. While the team goes on its search, they will have to rely on rookie point guard Wade Baldwin and Andrew Harrison to hold the fort as Mike Conley recovers.
The Memphis Grizzlies have been off to a surprisingly good start under its first year coach. They started off 11-7, largely because of Mike Conley’s stellar play. The 29-year-old, who signed the richest long-term deal in the history of the NBA, was averaging 19.2 points and 5.7 assists before he got hurt.
Apart from Mike Conley, the Memphis Grizzlies are already playing without key players Chandler Parsons (knee), Zach Randolph (death in the family), Brandon Wright (ankle) and James Ennis (leg).
