More photos » Matt Slocum - AP

Ronnie Brewer will be joining his buddy Carlos Boozer in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Remember a few weeks ago when the Grizzlies inexplicably declined to give Ronnie Brewer a qualifying offer, despite it costing Memphis nothing to do so and having invested their 2011 first-round draft pick in the defensive-minded wing stopper? Here's what was said then:

There is almost no explanation for this move. Qualifying offers cost nothing to tender unless no other team is willing to match [...] It is always smart to keep a player a restricted free agent because it gives leverage to either force a sign-and-trade or, at the bare minimum, at least complicate a rival's offseason.

If there's any reason to just let Brewer walk, it's that the Memphis front office was due to make at least one huge, blatant mistake this offseason.

I take that back now. It should read: "There is absolutely no explanation for this move." The Chicago Bulls just signed Brewer to a 3 year, $12.5 million dollar contract, though the third year is not guaranteed.

If those numbers sound familiar, it's because it's a very similar contract to the one given to Tony Allen (3 years guaranteed, $10 million) by Memphis last week. The difference is that, while they are similar, Ronnie Brewer is markedly better than Tony Allen in almost every facet of the game.

Good thing we're saving that under $1 million a year then, am I right?

Earlier in the summer the Cleveland Cavaliers said there was absolutely no chance that they would even consider sign-and-trading LeBron James. Eventually they caved in and did so. Why? Because they got the added value of draft picks and trade exceptions. You can't just allow talent -- assets -- to escape in the NBA.

I don't want to blow this out of proportion, but it's what I'd call a colossal failure on a minor scale. We used a draft pick to acquire a young guy we liked, which is great, and it was unfortunate that an injury derailed the trade. That's fine. But to treat the deal like it never happened and just give that player away, especially when you clearly still feel like you need a similar guy, is just an awful decision.

Heisley and Chris Wallace might be over the failed Brewer trade and not dismayed by his rather affordable contract, but Grizzlies fans shouldn't be. We'll all likely remember it next year, when the Jazz don't miss a beat by replacing Carlos Boozer with Al Jefferson on our dime.

More photos » David Zalubowski - AP

Old Man Sam Young starred in the first half, scoring something like twenty in the first half alone. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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If you expected anyone but Sam Young to shoulder the scoring load now that O.J. Mayo has left Vegas, you shouldn't have. Against the D-League Select, Sam Young posted 35 points. Young just took over, dropping his head and just finding a way to get to the hole. Led by Young, the Grizzlies beat the Select team 101-85.

That's nothing new, we've known for a long time that Sam could score. One thing that was new? THABEET! The big guy dropped home 21 points, with 14 rebounds, 2 assists, and 6 blocks (to just 5 fouls). Onto the list:

• Hasheem Thabeet actually looked improved again, much like the first game. He finally dunked the ball, was pushing people around in the paint, and was incredibly effective on the defensive end. Three of his blocks came in the first, and then things slowed down because they didn't want inside.
• Sam Young is such an enigma. He just doesn't look good ever really, but the guy undoubtedly can be a solid scorer. 
• After seeing him more, I think Sam's shooting percentages will be much improved this year. His form is still odd, but he's waiting till the top of his jump to release the ball now. That'll help on shots off the dribble, because he'll have a chance to square his shoulders in the air.
• Greivis Vasquez has got to be the backup point guard. His ability to create space for teammates off the bounce is elite. It's like Vasquez can go Jedi and just move defenders. Should have had 10 assists.

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More photos » John Raoux - AP

O.J., we're worried about you, buddy. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Again, I guess a win is a win, but the Grizzlies barely escaped by the skin of their teeth against the Bucks last night. Sam Young (sort of) nailed a three to win it, he scored 15 in all, but the Grizzlies are playing their real bench. These guys are our real bench, minus Tony Allen, they should be whipping the Bucks temps.

Oh well, nowhere but up from here (not true). Let's get into the points:

• Hasheem Thabeet had a nice stat line, but didn't have the impact he did last game. He looks busted after the back to back. More words on Thabeet later, including why he's got to change his shotblocking approach.
• O.J. Mayo racked up the turnovers again, but this time he looked passive. Arthur was often running the offense from the high post, and it was not particularly effective. OJAM the combo guard has to be able to bail his team out by creating if the strategy (high-low post play) isn't working. Until the 4th quarter, I considered this game a step backwards. After the 4th, it was a wash.
• Sam Young is a defensive nightmare. Just saying, game-winners don't make up for leaving your guy around screens like every other play.
• DeMarre Carroll is a nightmare everywhere. If you can't dominate in Summer League, you can't make a real team, because Jeff Adrien can. Carroll wouldn't be on the squad if he was a 2nd rounder.

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More photos » Jim Prisching - AP

Chris Wilson says, "LOCK THAT SCREAMING SPANIARD UP!" (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

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Here to introduce our second new contributor today, the venerable Chris Wilson, who's going to be doing a weekly editorial-type-thing that you'll see every Tuesday afternoon or night. Chris has free reign over these, so we might butt heads a little bit. My take will be in the comments. -djturtleface

Mark Cuban has been known to say that the worst spot in the NBA is being mediocre -- just outside of the playoffs each year, or maybe grabbing an occasional 8 seed. I'm talking about a team that's unable to run with the big boys, but isn't bad enough to get a draft pick that can change the franchise. Basically, your 2010-2011 Memphis Grizzlies.

I realize that there is a whole season to be played out, but good NBA front offices are constantly thinking about the future. I would love to count the Grizzlies as one of these franchises, but for me, personally, as with many fans, the jury is certainly still out.

The point is that the Grizzlies need to gamble a bit in order to get better. Sure, it may not work, but when you're the only franchise in professional sports history to have played 12 playoff games and never had a victory, conventional wisdom might just need to be thrown to the wind. Lionel Hollins and Chris Wallace just signed new contracts -- now is the perfect time to be bold and attempt to drill at least a few changes into Heisley's head.

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More photos » Richard Sennott - AP

Grizz fans will get to watch this KAHN! blow their draft pick instead of Heisley or Wallace sometime in the next two or three years. (AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Richard Sennott)

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When the Grizzlies traded for Ronnie Brewer last year around the trade deadline, they gave up just their 2011 first round selection to the Utah Jazz. At the time it seemed like a good idea, but then Brewer tore his hamstring and was effectively out for the season. Now he's an unrestricted free agent, and Memphis replaced him with Tony Allen.

Looking back it wasn't such a great idea, since today the Jazz moved their 2011 first round pick, the Grizzlies 2011 first round pick, and a trade exception for young stud power forward Al Jefferson. And now a conference rival has improved. Ouch.

Not so fast, though. That Grizzlies pick is guarded rather heavily. Next year it will be protected through the entire lottery, so if the Grizz don't make the playoffs, they still get to draft. In 2012 it is top 12 protected, in 2013 it is top 10 protected, and in 2014 and 2015 it is top 9 protected.

The story is twofold for Grizz fans. First, Kahn is infinitely worse than even Heisley. Second, the T'Wolves will be picking instead of Memphis down the road, but have hardly grabbed a guaranteed star in return for Big Al.

More photos » Lance Murphey - AP

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Well the Grizz picked up their first win of the Vegas Summer League, but don't get too hopeful that they'll match last year's 5-0 record. This was an ugly second half against a bad team.

Those of you who were around for last year's Summer League, which is probably none of you, know how this works. Its Summer League and therefore not real, which means you don't get paragraphs or a story, you get a bunch and bunch of bullet points. Look, we all deserve a vacation. 

Anyway, the most important bullets are up top, but over the jump there is certainly more worth peeking at and commenting on:

• Xavier Henry is not playing in the Summer League. Apparently his contract negotiations have stalled, and X's agent Arn Tellem is refusing to let him play until he's inked. Every 12th pick gets paid the same in the end. Come on guys, Greivis Vasquez was still out there, and he's not official yet either.
• O.J. Mayo was the best player on the court, but Jeff Teague was clearly the better point guard. More on the Mayo experiment over the jump.
• The Grizzlies had a huge lead at half, the non-roster guys blew it, but then the roster guys played the Hawks about even. Luke Jackson dominated for periods of time. That's not a good sign, since Teague and Jordan Crawford are the only Hawks likely to be in the NBA.
• Darrell Arthur and Hasheem Thabeet had a magical synergy flowing. I could feel it through my wireless connection. Powerful stuff. More on both later.
• Greivis Vasquez looked really good at first, came down to earth, then you began to realize he couldn't guard Teague or Jordan Crawford. Again, those were the only NBA players on the Hawks. Slightly troublesome.

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More photos » Lance Murphey - AP

The not so big three. What are we going to do with you guys if you don't kill Summer League? (AP Photo/Lance Murphey)

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Pete is back for more Vegas previews, and I'll be on the Summer League game tomorrow - djturtleface

Without a doubt, the Grizzlies reached for Carroll at No. 27 in the 2009 draft, although many thought they made up for the mistake by snagging Sam Young in the second round. Turns out neither player lived up to expectations, making up about half of the worst bench in the league.

Carroll has all the intangibles that a franchise would want from a first round pick. He's tough, smart, hungry and energetic.

However, if you looked up "tweener" in the dictionary, you might see his picture. At a generous 6'8'', Carroll struggled to find his place b in the NBA last year in limited time. He will have to make strides in his game in order to be a successful pro at either small forward or power forward.

Yet there's a reason that Carroll was well-regarded, as well as the MVP of the Portsmouth Invitational. He's almost 24, but although Carroll won't grow or get more athletic, he still has time to learn the NBA game and improve skills that will make him valuable.

Sam Young came out of Pittsburgh at close to 40 years old -- ok, looking 40, but actually 24. Talented, yes. High ceiling? Probably not.

However, Young was drafted for a reason. He's got a quality NBA body as well as athleticism that translates to the professional ranks. And his first season was decent, especially toward the end of the year, despite having the overwhelming expectation of playing 6th man.

With Xavier Henry around to take more minutes, expectations won't be as high this for either player season, but here's what Predator and Old Man Sam have to show in Summer League if they're going to become a reliable rotation players.

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