• Stromile Swift: Now is the time to pounce on Swift. He's a restricted free agent, and the Grizzlies have claimed they'll match any offer. However, last week the Grizzlies matched Cleveland's offer to Frankensteinian center Jake Tsakalidis, putting Memphis into luxury tax territory. Any money they use to match an offer for Swift will cost the Grizzlies twice as much once the tax is figured in. That may give them pause when they consider matching an offer for a guy who plays the same position as Pau Gasol does and whose basketball IQ had wags nicknaming him "None Too."

Nonetheless, Swift is worth the money. He is a hugely talented forward who has crazy hops and is a good mid-range shooter. He's way too good to ride the pine but that's what he'll be doing if he stays in Memphis. The Atlantas and Charlottes of the world should be coughing up an offer sheet for several million a year and calling the Grizzlies' bluff, but they haven't shown any inclination yet.

This is from CNN-SI. More of what we already know.. but Vin Baker wasnt going anywhere, and he's not that important. If Isiah just waited we could have offered Swift a 6 year 38mm deal. I know Jerry West said he would match and offer so let him. Let him pay Swift a potential $11mm year to play 15 minutes a game behind Gasol and Brian Cardinal (where are those minutes coming from?).

Its hard to imagine West matching that... and what combo moving forward. I know Swift isnt a center but you could have a line up with Marbury, Craw, TT, Sweet, Swift... speed and hops all around.

I read earlier in the year that West promised to match...and when asked about the possibility of not matching an offer he shot it down very quickly...saying that he would lose his credabililty if he were to go back on his word. Coming from anyone else it doesn't mean much but from Jerry West I take it as gospel.

this was a tough call for IT, I think there were other interest for baker, I mean baker still has tank in the gas, he is comming cheap and he still has skills... As far as west, he is a great basketball GM but it is not like he is god, the guy dumped a lot of money on cardinal I think and IMO that was a odd move for the grizzlies, we will see how great west is in memphis. time will tell on this one..