Agent says Stoudamire will seek release or trade By Ronald Tillery (Contact) Originally published 04:06 p.m., January 3, 2008 Updated 04:06 p.m., January 3, 2008 BOSTON — Grizzlies veteran point guard Damon Stoudamire will seek a trade or contract buyout, his agent said Thursday. Stoudamire was removed from the starting lineup in favor of first-round draft pick Mike Conley. Stoudamire was on the inactive list for the Grizzlies' victory Wednesday over Indiana. Aaron Goodwin, an experienced NBA agent with a star-studded client list, called the decision to relegate Stoudamire to an insurance player at the point unacceptable and disrespectful. A 13-year veteran, Stoudamire started in 29 games for the 9-22 Grizzlies. He averaged 7.3 points on 39-percent shooting and 3.9 assists in 20.5 minutes. Head coach Marc Iavaroni, however, prefers to commit to a youth movement at the point with Conley starting and second-year player, Kyle Lowry, coming off the bench. Conley will make his second NBA start Friday when the Griz play the Boston Celtics. “For the Grizzlies to demote Damon because of his age and because of the team’s record is unacceptable,” Goodwin said. “They’re going to have to do right by Damon — move to get him out of there or restructure his contract so he can be bought out. Mr. Heisley is a good, compassionate man. But we’re not going to sit back and watch Damon’s career rot.” Goodwin referred to Griz owner Michael Heisley, who said the team will try within reason to accommodate Stoudamire. Heisley, though, cautioned that the team will consider a lot more than Stoudamire’s personal desire if something is done. “I have deep affection for Damon Stoudamire,” Heisley said. “I was invited to and went to his wedding in Hawaii. He’s been a stand-up guy. We’re not going to treat Damon in a cavalier manner. “If the opportunity presents itself, I’d love to see Damon play for a championship team. But that means we have to make a trade and somebody has to want him. We all think the world of Damon. We want to do what’s in his best interest as long as it’s in the best interest of the Grizzlies.” Stoudamire is under contract through the 2008-09 season. He is scheduled to earn $4.65 million in the final season of a four-year deal he signed in 2005. Stoudamire’s contract is also laden with language that determines his salary for 2008-09 based on the minutes he averages this season Link Rockets should look into this. Stevie + Kirk is a good deal in my opinion. Maybe even MJ
He's washed up and not much of an upgrade to our PG. Plus we have Brooks. I think if we're gonna get a PG then we better find one that is above average since we already have too many.
yeah, a great shooting veteran point guard that can lead the team and give us the energy that we're missing is definitely not needed..
trade Head's sorry a$$ straight up for Damon, if they want, give 'em Alston too, we need a change really bad and this trade is just begging up to do it..
I don't blame him for wanting to finish out the last few years of his career actually competing for a title. Good luck to him in that quest. His contract is small and manageable so if he doesn't get bought out somebody will take a chance on him. I just hope it wont be the Rockets. Our goal at this point should be to get as young, quick and athletic as we can get. Stoudamire doesn't exactly fit that criteria.
I would trade James and Francis for him to have as an insurance policy in case something happened to Brooks or Rafer. If someone would have predicted that I would ever type that sentence 3 months ago, I would have called them crazy
the only thing that excites me about this trade is the prospect of opening up a free roster spot ... MIKE HARRIS@!!@#@!$#%#$%#$
Damon had the chance of coming here instead of Memphis. Looks like the decision to take more money back fired on him.
He isn't an upgrade over Alston. At best, he would steal minutes from Brooks and I don't think anyone wants that to happen after seeing what AB has done in his limited minutes.
Yeah, at this point in the season all I have sustaining me is the prospect of watching Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks develop into formidable NBA starters. The Rockets don't give me much else in the way of reasons to watch them. In order for me to be behind a trade that knocks Brooks out of the rotation, we'd have to be gaining a point guard that is obviously a substantial upgrade over Alston.
[Damon] Stoudamire seeks way out http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jan/04/stoudamire-seeks-way-out/ BOSTON -- Damon Stoudamire will seek a trade or contract buyout, his agent said Thursday, in the wake of the veteran point guard's demotion and rookie Mike Conley's receiving the starting role. --- Think we'll go after this guy? James for Stoudamire?
